"The iftar dinner will commence at 5.08pm," the invitation reads. A very specific starting time, but the reason is simple. It's Thursday and the sun sets at 5.08pm.
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"Iftar" is an Arabic word meaning "breakfast", but not a morning meal of cereal or toast. It refers to the literal breaking of a fast, the daily fast more than one billion Muslims around the world undertake through the holy month of Ramadan as they forgo food and drink between sunrise and sunset.
We remove our shoes at the door of Kemal and Zeynep Akkoc, Turkish migrants who have made a home in Flinders.
Our hosts, their children and friends are lined along the corridor, welcoming us with broad smiles and outstretched hands.
The dinner has been organised by Affinity Intercultural Foundation, a Sydney-based organisation aiming to foster friendships between the Islamic community and the wider society.
"We're trying to address misunderstanding and start a real dialogue," says Affinity general manager Bilal Aydemir, seated next to me at the table.
"It's breaking down barriers, building bridges."
Ramadan and iftar dinners are important cultural times for Muslims, as well as social ones. Families, friends and even strangers gather to eat and socialise once the sun sets.
"It's rare you have dinner at home with just your own family," Mr Akkoc says as we wait for other guests to arrive.
"You are always out at a friend's house or with family, having big meals together."
Affinity has organised iftars throughout Sydney since 2000, asking non-Muslims to literally break bread with the Islamic community at private homes and larger events at churches or halls.
This is the first year of the home iftar program in Wollongong, and we are attending only the second dinner.
"We ask our Muslim friends to open their homes and come together for a meal," Mr Aydemir says.
"Our Australian friends accept us into their special places, for a special dinner with Muslims. It's about both sides coming together, learning about each other."
The table is heavy with food as we begin to eat. Red lentil soup as an appetiser, before a hearty meal of slow-cooked meat, rice and potato is served. The table is further laden with mountains of salad, bread, stuffed vine leaves and juices.
Mr Akkoc was born in Turkey, moved to Australia at the age of six, and has lived in Shellharbour for 30 years. Rather than a chore, he views fasting during Ramadan as a highlight of the year.
"Ramadan brings our community together. You actually look forward to it," he says.
As our photographer works to set up a picture, the guests begin to titter.
"Hurry up," they laugh. "We haven't eaten all day!"
Conversation around the table is lively and warm. We talk of multiculturalism and expectations, refugees and discrimination, as the Islamic members of the dinner express a sincere desire to share their culture with the wider community.
"We want to show people who we are," says Mr Aydemir.
Picture: Zumrut Tor, Bilal Aydemir, Vesile Demir, Zeynep Akkoc, MP Anna Watson, Nurhayat Aydemir, Wollongong LAC multicultural community liaison officer Rima Elhage and Kemal Akkoc. Credit: ROBERT PEET
