Turkish state aid agency hosts fast-breaking meal for 250 people in Gambia

By Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) - Turkiye’s state-run aid agency on Monday hosted a fast-breaking meal, or iftar, for 250 people in the West African nation of Gambia.

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) organized the iftar program at the Sand Dunes Mosque, a holy site within the southwestern town of Gunjur. Some 250 people, including 200 students from the Gunjur Islamic Institute and locals, attended the meal.

The program was attended by representatives from the Turkish Embassy in Banjul, Gambia High Islamic Council, and madrasah school staff. The program is organized for the students studying under difficult conditions in the madrasah.

After the program, officials thanked Turkiye and TIKA for their support by setting up a "special iftar table" for students during Ramadan, a month when most Muslims fast from sunup to sundown.

“Caring and sharing are one of the core values of Turkish culture, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. In this spirit, we are always happy to share the little we have with our brothers and sisters in Gambia,” said TIKA Gambia coordinator Sule Bayar.

Separately, TIKA donated 500 food packages to needy people in Gambia. This donation also includes 200 food packages to the country’s first lady’s Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow Foundation, which aims to improve the lives of the vulnerable groups of society throughout Gambia.

The packages include 25-kilogram (55-pound) bags of rice, 10-kg (22-lb.) bags of sugar, and 5 liters (1.32 gallons) containers of cooking oil.