The photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

In celebration of the Year of Tolerance, Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar Dubai has announced that the Dubai Sikh Temple will be welcoming Muslim brethren to its dining hall for Mughrib prayers and Iftar during the entire month of Ramadan this year.

Serving Iftar is not new for Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar Dubai as they have always been hosting Iftar every year since 2012. And this year being the Year of Tolerance, Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar Dubai will be hosting Iftar every single day during the holy month of Ramadan.

A designated area in the dining hall of the Gurudwara temple will be partitioned “to give privacy for our Muslim brothers and sisters” for their Mughrib prayers before breaking their fast. Dates, dried fruits and traditional drinks will then be ready for them. Vegetarian meals or langar will also be served to them similar to what is being served to other Sikh devotees.

“We are excited that during Ramadan, the Gurudwara becomes a place of tolerance wherein Muslims and non-Muslims are able to practise their faith – in this way we embrace the value of tolerance by sharing a meal not only with people from our congregation but with people from different faiths as well,” said Surender Singh Kandhari.

The year 2019 also marks the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. Among his many teachings are humility and respect to all of humanity. Sitting and eating together regardless of social status or religious belief is a tradition that emphasises equality and acceptance.

The sight of Iftar celebrations in the Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar Dubai is a picture of pluralism between Muslims and Sikhs in embracing tolerance, which would not have been possible without the leadership and support from the United Arab Emirates government.

However, the Companies for Good (CFG) is announced to organise a number of activities during Ramadan in order to help companies “do good”.