Turkish Ramadan Feast brings Faiths together in Sydney

SBS World News has had the great privilege of being invited into a young couple's home to share, and to document, the Iftar feast that breaks the day's Ramadan fast.

By six o'clock in the evening, with the sun fully set and the new moon rising, Sydney based newly-weds Azmi and Deniz Alkan were busy in the kitchen preparing what would prove to be an amazing array of culinary delights.

This Iftar feast was truly exceptional, the Alkans had opened up their home to members of the Christian and Jewish faiths because these Turkish Australians wanted to share their cultural and religious heritage.

The food was sensational (just have a look at the menu below) but it was the inclusive intercultural community spirit around the table that was the most impressive aspect of the evening.

Mr Alkan explained his passion for cultural and interfaith exchange as the motivation for hosting the Iftar feast.

"Living in Australia together it is important for Muslims to convey the type of lifestyles that we have," Mr Alkan said upon welcoming his guests.

He says Australia can be proud of its great multicultural society - but he also recognises a need to build a stronger community.

"The thing about Abraham is that he wouldn't break bread or sit down at the dinner table unless he had company,"

"Unfortunately we can have a bit of misunderstanding and I think it is important to eradicate those and we believe dinner is one of the best ways for us to clarify those misunderstandings."

On the menu, there were ideas about building interfaith and intercultural harmony.

Uniting Church Moderator Reverend Brian Brown told the guests the interfaith Iftar feast was an important learning experience.

"The more we can learn about each other, the better", the Reverend said.

"There is so much division that we have to be intentional about working the other way to come together so we are just delighted for the opportunity.'

The Abrahamic Faiths

Islam, Judaism and Christianity are all Abrahamic faiths.

Ahmet Keskin, Executive Director of the Affinity Intercultural Foundation helped organize the event. He explained that in Islam, Abraham is known as the friend of God.     

"The thing about Abraham is that he wouldn't break bread or sit down at the dinner table unless he had company," Mr Keskin explained for the Iftar guests. 

Kati Howarth from the Jewish Board of Deputies said that In Judaism Abraham made the Covenant with God.

"From what I have read about the genesis of the Islamic faith it did take a lot of the values, the core values, and I think we do share those values," Ms Howarth told the table.

The interfaith Iftar appeared to be a success. Despite the differences, everyone agreed there's a lot of common ground.

"I think being of that (Abrahamic) faith we need to leave the village as well, leave old prejudices and leave divisions behind, and step out and take a new way together," Reverend Brown said.