Three Religions at One Table – A Special Iftar Evening

It was a very special evening as part of our interfaith reading series "Bookmarks": Last Tuesday, in the midst of Ramadan, the House of One invited guests to join in a communal Muslim fast-breaking (Iftar).

Almost 150 guests accepted the invitation to the Wilhelmstadtschools in Spandau. They experienced an enriching exchange with the spiritual leaders Rabbi Andreas Nachama, retired General Superintendent Ulrike Trautwein, and Imam Kadir Sanci. In their talks, they shared insights into the different fasting traditions and their significance within their respective religions.

The Fasting Traditions of the Three Monotheistic Religions

Judaism: Judaism has several fasting days throughout the year, including Yom Kippur, on which fasting lasts for 25 hours. Rabbi Nachama also reminded the audience of a tradition that says fasting should occur when there is no peace: "We would therefore have just enough reason to fast."

Christianity: The Christian fasting period begins with Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Ulrike Trautwein quoted theologian Jean Baptist Metz, who understood fasting as a conscious interruption of everyday life – a time for reflection and inner contemplation. She fittingly referenced the Bible verse: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." (Matt. 4:4)

Islam: Imam Sanci emphasized the spiritual dimension of Ramadan, which is not only a time of abstinence but also one of appreciation: "One can enjoy food more than usual and be thankful for God's gifts." Fasting opens the eyes and hearts, encourages reflection on personal dependencies, and strengthens social responsibility.

The full contributions of the spiritual leaders can be downloaded as a PDF here if you're interested.

After the talks, the guests gathered for a joint prayer and Iftar, where the meal was shared in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It was a wonderful evening that clearly demonstrated that fasting is not only a religious practice but also a universal invitation to reflection, community, and gratitude.

Many thanks to everyone who shared this evening with us – and of course, to the Wilhelmstadtschools for their hospitality and the wonderful food