For most of us, iftar is a moment of joy, where we break our fast with abundant food, surrounded by family and friends. But what if, just for one iftar, we took a step back and created an experience that honours the resilience of refugees? What if we prepared an iftar that gives us a glimpse of the daily challenges they face, reminding us of the courage it takes to journey to safety with very little?
That’s exactly what we suggest for the closing moments of your Trials & Tribulations challenge, when you’ve returned from your exhausting trek. A modest iftar serves as a powerful experience to foster empathy, making us more appreciative of what we have and more aware of the struggles that refugees endure every day.
Here’s how to prepare an iftar where you can feel—just a fraction—of what it means to live with scarcity and uncertainty.
Starting with the simplest of meals
Imagine walking miles and miles through hostile terrain, with very little food or water, only to arrive somewhere that may be safer but still has limited resources. Refugees often find themselves in situations where food and water are scarce and carefully rationed. To capture this experience in a small way, start iftar with just the basics.
Breaking fast
To begin, keep the first meal as modest as possible. Each participant receives:
- A small glass of water
- One stale bread bun (or something equally plain)
- Two dates
This simplicity mirrors the meagre rations many refugees receive after their long, arduous journeys. Breaking fast this way—without a spread of appetisers or rich foods—serves as a reminder of the harsh reality faced by millions. It gives a chance to reflect on how just a sip of water and a small piece of food might feel to someone who has been without it for days.
Pause to pray and reflect
After breaking the fast, take a pause to pray Maghrib. Reflect on the blessings you still have and think about the resilience it takes to endure a life where even basic needs are not guaranteed. This moment of patience before the main meal can give you a sense of the patience refugees often must have when they don’t know when, or if, they’ll get their next meal.
Waiting for the main meal
One of the toughest parts of being displaced is the uncertainty around food. Sometimes refugees receive food from aid organisations; other times, they’re left to gather what little they can find or forage. For this modest iftar, create an experience where the main meal arrives only after a significant wait, simulating the waiting and the uncertainty refugees face every day.
What might the main meal look like?
For the main meal, try serving food that would likely be found in a refugee camp or a situation with limited resources. Here are some options to consider:
Option 1: Aid agency-provided meal
Some refugees receive rations from aid agencies that provide them with just enough to survive. A typical meal provided by aid agencies might include:
- Plain rice or boiled lentils – a small serving, often plain, as spices and sauces are rarely available.
- Tinned beans or chickpeas – simple and filling, though sometimes eaten straight from the can due to limited cooking facilities.
- Small portion of flatbread – perhaps two or three small pieces, often shared amongst family members.
This type of meal helps participants experience the minimal food provided as relief, and it’s usually lacking in variety and flavour. It’s nourishing but repetitive, often served day after day with few changes, making it feel more like a survival ration than a comforting meal.
Option 2: Scraping together a meal from limited resources
Many refugees have to make do with whatever they can find or afford. This might include:
- Boiled vegetables – perhaps some potatoes, carrots, or cabbage, boiled together with little to no seasoning.
- Small handful of lentils or beans – basic, inexpensive, and filling, often served without spices or extra ingredients.
- Piece of bread or tortilla – either stale or made from very basic ingredients, something that can be made in bulk and lasts a few days.
This second type of meal reflects the difficulty of finding food on a limited budget, or with limited access to stores and markets. The taste and texture may be plain, with little seasoning, mirroring the tough choices many refugees face as they try to make food last.
Reflecting on the experience: a chance to build empathy
At the end of the meal, take a few moments to reflect as a group. What did it feel like to wait for food? How did it feel to eat a meal that was less about taste and more about survival? These reflections can help everyone present to gain a deeper appreciation of the difficulties refugees endure.
Lessons in resilience and gratitude
This modest iftar is not just about eating simple food; it’s about experiencing a fraction of what refugees face every day. It’s an opportunity to develop gratitude for what we have and empathy for those who have lost nearly everything. The experience can remind us of the incredible resilience it takes to find strength in the face of uncertainty, to stay hopeful even when basic needs are scarce.
Taking action after the meal
Finally, consider concluding the evening by discussing ways to support refugees. Whether it’s through donating to aid organisations, advocating for refugee rights, or simply spreading awareness, there are many ways we can make a difference. This modest iftar experience can serve as a reminder of the power of compassion and the responsibility we hold to help those in need.
Insha’Allah, this modest iftar can help bring home the reality that while we enjoy the blessings of food and comfort, many around the world are still struggling for the basics. May we take this moment of empathy and reflection to strengthen our commitment to helping others in their times of need.