At 6 p.m., the Dovrén couple from Lund call at the home of the Kayabasi family, who originally come from Turkey. When the clock then strikes 18.39, a prayer begins to be played from the clock radio in the living room.
– Now it’s time to eat, says Rifat Kayabasi.
On the table is rice, bread, burek, soup, salad and dates. The family usually starts the dinner with water and a date each to give their fasting stomachs liquid and vitamins.
A project for community
“My Ramadan” is a project that was created to bring people together and allow non-Muslims to experience the fasting meal, called iftar, together with a Muslim family. It is volunteer families who sign up as volunteers and host strangers for dinner to tell them more about Ramadan and what the fasting month means to them.
– You fast to get closer to God but also to understand the people who do not have food or water, says Neva Kayabasi.
Started with a post on Facebook
Pernilla Dovrén saw a post from “Min Ramadan” in a local Facebook group and decided to register herself and her husband.
– It is a social challenge to come home to a family you have never met. It’s a bit of a step outside your comfort zone. Then it’s really exciting with other cultures and other food.
The couple from Lund have no direct experience of Ramadan and have never participated in an iftar dinner before, but both think it will be fun to learn.
– I have understood that you eat a lot of food, says Pernilla Dovrén.
The families share their lives with each other, both similarities and differences. Everyone agrees that they would have liked to do this again.
– We want to invite guests to Ramadan to share the joy and community, says Neva Kayabasi.