KIEV, October 30, 2005 – Breaking their fast together on collective iftar banquets, performing Tarawih prayer and reciting verses from the Noble Qur'an are but some of the activities with which Muslims in Ukraine busy themselves during the holy month of Ramadan, attracting a curious local media.

Minutes before Maghrib (sunset) prayer, when Muslims break their fast, children fan out inside the headquarters of the Federation of Social Organizations (ARRAID), the Muslim umbrella body in the country, to help put the final touches for iftar banquets.

They give dates to fasting Muslims, place kitchen utensils, take the food to the women dinning hall, with almost every body busy doing something to set the table for the iftar.

This year ARRAID's mosque is increasingly teeming with some 400 worshipers opting to break their fast with fellow Muslims every day.

"In the past, Muslims used to think that iftar banquets are only for the poor or the needy. Now they see it as a chance for communal solidarity during the holy month," Dr. Ismail Kadi, ARRAID chairman, told IslamOnline.net.

Qur'an & Prayer

After breaking their dawn-to-dusk fast, worshipers sit at the mosque, reciting verses from the Noble Qur'an.

Others, especially reverts, attend classes on tajweed (rules of recitation) of the Muslim holy book.

Worming up for a contest organized on the 25th day of Ramadan every year, children spend time memorizing short verses of the Qur'an.

As the time for Tarawih prayer draws nearer, more Muslims come in droves to the mosque.

ARRAID is always keen on offering religious sermons for the faithful, which this Ramadan taste special with Kuwaiti preacher Sami Saad Belal, a presenter of a religious program on the Kuwaiti TV's channel three.

Unlike in previous years, sermons are now followed by a translation in Russian to help non-Arabic speaking Muslims to understand the lessons.

Diplomats

The collective iftar banquets have attracted a number of Arab and Muslim diplomats serving in Ukraine.

"When I was packing up to Kiev, I was worried I would suffer loneliness in Ukraine," said South Africa's ambassador Ashram Sentso, who reverted to Islam five years back.

"The Islamic center here makes a marvelous place for Muslims to meet and enjoy the ambiance of the Islamic month of Ramadan," he said.

The diplomat noted that though the Muslim minority in Ukraine in relatively small, it is "growing up real fast."

Curious Media

Ramadan events have attracted a curious Ukrainian media.

Local TV networks send reporters to shoot the prayer and interview some of the Muslim worshipers inside the mosque.

Others talk to children about what Ramadan means for them.

Ukraine is home to some two million Muslims making up 4% of the overall 48-million population.

There are up to 200 mosques and 20 Islamic centers nationwide, which experience no restrictions by the Ukrainian authorities.

Founded in 1997, the ARRAID, which means "pioneer" in Arabic, integrates public Muslim organizations from ten regional centers of Ukraine.

By Khaled Abu Bakr,
IOL Correspondent