Edit - updated title to reflect advice provided by ar7ist.
Read this in the Canberra times -
It's also a month of gratitude. By abstaining from food and water during the day, the faithful are reminded of those less fortunate. Each night during Ramadan, mosques and aid organisations set up tents and tables to serve free evening meals for the poor.
I did a bit of research and it appears that this is 1) available in most mosques around the world; 2) is not widely advertised and 3) generally available to everybody.
The timing of the dinner depends on when the fast is broken which will be different each day for each state.
The time for the dinner is the second last column titled "Iftar Maghrib"
Free food and drinks every evening for everyone in most of the mosques - check for local mosque or speak to any Muslim friend, neighbour or colleague for more details.
This is a great way to explore and connect to a different culture.
Ramadan Kareem to those that celebrate Ramadan.
For people commenting this as a charity, please know that it is not. We have prayers right after opening/breaking our fast and in some places where Masjids/Mosques are not close to our homes, we'd rather get to the Masjid and break our fast there so we can join the prayers immediately after.
Its not a charity because people from all different sorts of backgrounds and financial situations come together, sit together and have a meal together without any differences.
Its not a charity because its providing convenience to people - for instance people working in the CBD, may not get home in time to break the fast. If some's working in CBD and coming in to break the fast in a suit, they're not there because they can't afford a meal, they're there because they'd rather open the fast with everyone and then pray right after.
It is a deal because its open for everyone, regardless of their religion or race. It is a deal because it happens once a year for an entire month.
I still plan on going there. You may meet interesting people who are breaking the fast with you.
If you have any questions/concerns, I'm sure any Masjid would be happy to have ANYONE join them for the free dinner at sunset, and people over there would be happy to clarify any doubts :) - If you're in Melbourne, I'll be going to the one near Flagstaff Station.
Salam
Read the title. Read the body.
Salvation Army does this everyday.
"Those in need" didn't just mean people who are not able to afford food. As the above poster said anyone can turn up. One of the "customs" of Muslim people is inviting guests to their house or place of worship for food.
Well, here are the ones from Christians. They happen weekly and are open for all.
Here is one from Bhuddist. Also weekly basis and all welcome.
I'm sure another 2 minutes of Google search and this list would be a lot longer.
Seems this custom is across the board. I wonder why the ones that happen on a weekly basis isn't posted but this one is.
@[Deactivated]: Its good to know that you've done your research. Please know that this is not a competition of any sort. Christians and Bhuddists doing this, is awesome. I'm sure people from other religions do the same, even people who don't follow any religion.
It's posted as a deal because this happens once a year - like most sales/deals. This is the month when we are supposed to pray more, get connected with our religion more; for which we get a greater reward, in a sense that every good deed gives us a multiplied reward in this month.
For example, 70x more reward points if you buy this during certain periods :D
I'm not pointing fingers at anyone here; but really, I don't comment about any other religion because I don't have enough knowledge. Getting "knowledge" from biased news channels or social media is not the way to go. I have friends from so many different religions and being a Muslim, I've even gone to some of their praying places to get know more about their traditions/cultures/practices. I still don't call myself knowledgeable enough to discuss a religion apart from my own.
Thanks dealbot, appreciate the edit <3
@ar7ist:
Has anyone ever come back and reviewed the rewards?
It'd be an awful shame if it all turned out to be a big scam and the voiceless faithful deceased had all wasted their lives and money for nothing. Don't you think?
@Scrooge McDuck: Religion is a belief.
People is free to believe in something.
People is free to have religion.
The reward is based on belief.
@fickre: That sounds like a "No".
People are free to fall victim to scams, but that doesn't mean people should, nor that others shouldn't try to help people out of them.
@Scrooge McDuck: Perhaps to go wrong in one's own way is better than to go right in someone else's? I'm a firm believer in self-determination as well as Darwin's theory of natural selection.
@Scrooge McDuck: I didn't neg you by the way.
@ar7ist: Deal in the name of festival/religion?
@[Deactivated]: By looking at the votes, How divided our nation is. :(
@[Deactivated]: Based on the comment mentioned, it is divided into
1. those who can read
2. those who cannot
@[Deactivated]: Virtue Signalling has become a world wide phenomenon
@Danstar: That's not just a convenient excuse for your own selfish behaviour, but doubling down on it by leaning into your lack of empathy. You can be selfish, but it's wrong to believe everyone else.
The accusation of virtue signalling is all about wanting to believe everyone else sucks as much as you, so it's no big deal if you suck as hard as you possibly can.
Better than the Canberra Times.
This Can be The Most controversial Deal on OZB lol
So would you say that dealbot should edit the original post so that the title doesn't say "for those in need"?
I have done so.
So it should be a TARGETED? deal then? As you mention it's for people who are going to pray afterwards?
Its not targeted if its for everyone. You could literally come, have food and leave without praying. No one there is marking attendance and checking against your name if you've prayed or not :D
It's just you said
And
Sounds like it is intended for those partaking in Ramadan, so to me, it would seem like a targeted deal, even if they would be gracious enough to accept you along if you weren't partaking in Ramadan.
that's complete BS,You'd only do that if you were a leech
@dealman: So it's perfect for most on OzBargain, then.
If by targeted you're talking about drone strikes…
I agree. These dinners are more about community spirit and definitely not a charity.
Upvote for your name.
Lol thanks!
@ar7ist
I am interested in this but don't want to be a dick.
What is the protocol for this? I am interested in attending to visit part of my local community. I don't need the free food.
Should I bring cash to make a donation? Or is that tacky?
Thanks
That's a great idea. Where about are you located? If you're in Melbourne, I can suggest places where you can go and experience the community.
There is no protocol per say. Just try and find out if your nearest Masjid/community centre offers free dinner. Some places do everyday for the entire month and some do on weekends only.
All you have to do is just show up and sit anywhere you can find an empty spot and has food/dates/snacks.
After that if you want to talk to someone and get to know more about it, just go to the person who's leading the congregation after the prayers have finished.
No need to bring cash or make a donation. No one's going to ask you for it.
Sikh temples already provide free food to anyone who comes. Most provide on the weekends but some provide on weekdays too all year long.
That's sick!