At first glance, one might mistake it for a grand event -- rows of plates, glasses, water jugs, and an array of mouth-watering iftar items neatly arranged.

Some sit alone, others in groups, preparing their meals. This is the scene every Ramadan at the historic Anderkilla Shahi Jame Mosque in Chattogram.

For the past 25 years, this iftar gathering has brought together thousands of Muslim devotees. However, it is not limited to the Muslim community; people of all religions, races, and backgrounds are welcomed without discrimination.

Here, neither wealth nor profession matters -- only the spirit of brotherhood and harmony.

The Anderkilla Shahi Jame Mosque, a witness to Chattogram's Mughal past, was built by Shaista Khan in 1667 on the orders of Emperor Aurangzeb to commemorate the Mughal conquest of the region.

According to sources, Maulana Saeed Muhammad Anwar Hossain Taher Jaberi Al Madani, the mosque's Khatib since 1996, initiated the iftar gathering in 2001. Initially a small affair, it took its current grand form in 2008, pausing only during the pandemic in 2020.

Mohammad Hasan Murad, personal assistant to the Khatib, said, "Since the first day of Ramadan, we have been organising iftar for thousands of devotees. The number grows as the month progresses, and in the last 10 days, we serve nearly 5,000 people under the Khatib's supervision."

Asked how such a large gathering is managed, he said, "Many people donate food for the God's blessings. We store these donations in two storerooms and prepare our iftar from them."

"It's open to everyone. People from all religions participate, fostering unity and harmony," he added.

Chef Abul Hossen, who leads the cooking team, said, "A team of 12 cooks and 30 assistants prepare nine items for iftar every day, working from the morning."

Fazlul Karim Manik, a businessman from New Market, said, "I come here every year. Poor and destitute people, alongside distinguished guests, all break their fast together, seeking blessings from the Almighty."