Continuing its annual tradition, the Indialogue Foundation hosted an Interfaith Iftar Dinner on March 22, 2025, in observance of the holy month of Ramadan. Held at the Foundation’s office in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, the event brought together students, friends, and associates in a shared celebration of togetherness and dialogue.
The Friendship Dinner was attended by an esteemed gathering of guests, including:
- Dr. A.K. Merchant – National Trustee and Secretary, Lotus Temple & Baha’i Community of India
- Prof. Aditya Nigam – Political Theorist, Delhi
- Kallol Bhattacharjee – Senior Assistant Editor, The Hindu and acclaimed author
- Ovais Sultan Khan – Independent human rights, justice, and peace activist
- Dr. Purvi Verma – Politician, Indian National Congress
- Aseem Trivedi – Award-winning political cartoonist
- Jai Adlakha – Master’s student, Peace and Conflict Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia
- Vikash Kumar – Gandhi Fellow, Piramal Foundation
Reflecting on the significance of these annual gatherings, M. Behzad Fatmi, Secretary-General of Indialogue Foundation, remarked: “Indialogue Foundation has always promoted harmony and cooperation across faiths, and few acts are more powerful than sharing a meal. Food, hunger, and celebration are universal human experiences—when shared, they create deep social bonds. We call these events ‘Friendship Dinners’ because they foster new relationships and strengthen existing ones.”
Pragya Narang, Program Coordinator at Indialogue Foundation, shared her reflections on the evening: “The dinner was not just a social gathering—it was a space where students of our Dialogue Studies program witnessed the Foundation’s mission in action. Several students attended and received their completion certificates. The group was beautifully diverse, with participants from Hindu, Muslim, Baha’i, Sikh, and atheist backgrounds coming together to enjoy a meal. This embodies the inclusive spirit of Indian culture, where communities have coexisted peacefully for centuries. Laughter was shared, meals were enjoyed, and everyone left with full stomachs and joyful hearts.”
Founded in 2005, the Indialogue Foundation is affiliated with the Hizmet Movement, a transnational civil society initiative inspired by the teachings of the Islamic scholar and thinker, Fethullah Gülen. Gülen emphasizes service to humanity as a path to spiritual fulfilment and has spoken of Ramadan as a time of deep joy, enduring love, and spiritual renewal.
Both the Indialogue Foundation and its global Hizmet partners have a longstanding tradition of organizing interfaith events during Ramadan, using the occasion to strengthen intercommunal understanding and solidarity.