In his remarks, Rama reflected on the symbolic meaning of the iftar table as a place where distinctions between host and guest, friend and stranger, or rich and poor dissolve.

“The iftar table is the only one where you are both the host and the served, both a guest and a friend, bound together with those you know and those you do not,” he said.

Rama drew parallels between this sense of shared humanity and the philosophical reflections of Immanuel Kant, referencing the “celestial constellation above me and the moral law within me,” describing the iftar table as a meeting point of the inner moral compass and the greater universe.

The government head emphasized that fasting and the act of breaking the fast help strengthen moral awareness, self-discipline, and empathy.

“Fasting teaches patience and self-restraint, while the iftar table unites the end of physical hunger with a moral awareness that nourishes the soul,” he said. Rama added that sharing bread during the iftar carries deep symbolism, representing dignity, respect, and human solidarity, and highlighting the common bonds that transcend religious, generational, and social differences.

Rama also addressed the broader social and moral lessons of Ramadan. He underlined the importance of coexistence, dialogue, and mutual understanding in society, noting how conflict often arises when individuals cling to their own perspective at the expense of empathy and trust.

“Under the light above us- the constellation of the Kantian sky – humans can build small islands of brotherhood, communities of friendship and understanding, protected not only by written laws but also by the moral law within each of us,” Rama said.

The Prime Minister concluded that the iftar dinner exemplifies the values of shared humanity and respect, creating a space where people from different backgrounds can come together.

He stressed that in such moments, fear and hostility give way to trust and cooperation, and differences are transformed into opportunities for dialogue and understanding.

The event was attended by representatives from Albania’s political and diplomatic circles, religious communities, cultural and artistic figures, public personalities, and members of the Muslim community. Rama’s remarks and the gathering reinforced the message that Ramadan serves not only as a spiritual practice but also as a moment for reflection, moral growth, and societal cohesion.

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Begaj attended the first Ramadan iftar, hosted in Tirana by the Albanian Muslim Community, and delivered a message emphasizing family, social solidarity, and ethical conduct in public life.

Referring to the essence of fasting, which extends beyond abstaining from food and drink, Begaj said the month should deepen self-awareness.

“Fasting without honesty, justice and self-restraint in word and deed remains merely a ritual, an empty form,” he said.

He highlighted the importance of solidarity with those in need, urging that Ramadan serve as a time to reconnect with core values, strengthen ties with the Creator, nurture family bonds, and uphold responsibility toward society.

Begaj called for efforts to translate the harmony of Ramadan tables into greater accountability in public life and more integrity in daily interactions.

“At a time when our world and society face tensions, polarization, and haste, Ramadan offers a valuable invitation to lower the volume, listen to our conscience, and find inner peace,” he said.

The head of state added that Albania needs greater social solidarity, personal integrity, and sincere care for others.

“Iftar is a moment of unity. It reminds us that no Albanian should feel alone, especially those facing economic hardship, social insecurity, or health challenges. Our country is blessed with the precious value of interfaith brotherhood, a legacy we must safeguard. In this holy month, let us work to turn this harmony into greater responsibility in public life and more honesty in our everyday relationships,” Begaj said in his remarks.

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Leaders of the religious communities, cabinet members, lawmakers, foreign diplomats, heads of state institutions, artists, sportsmen, doctors etc attended the iftar dinner.

Addressing the gathering, the government head said that the sense of belonging and connection to something in common is what had brought everyone together.

“Just like the faithful who observe fasting welcome it, I, too, for the sake of the truth, could barely wait to host this iftar dinner together with Linda and with the help of everyone who commits, so that the table has the spirit of an evening, neither religion, nor language, nor the work we do in it brings us together, but we are united by the feeling of belonging to something the same, of connection with something we share in common, which we call by various names or even it is impossible to name it,” PM Rama said.

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The Iftar dinner brought together politicians, cabinet members, artists, doctors, teachers, university lecturers, journalists, small and big business representatives, Muslim community representatives, as well as other religious communities, Catholic, Orthodox, Bektashi order,  heads of central institutions and local government authorities.

In his opening remarks, PM Rama welcomed the guests, saying he was so happy to see everyone coming together around the Iftar dinner after two years of restrictions due to the unprecedented pandemic.

‘’I have missed such a meeting a lot, because the table of Iftar dinner has for years induced a specific feeling of humanism, nurturing a welcome feeling of peace. Welcome and thank you very much for your presence, also on behalf of Linda, my other better half,” PM Rama said.

“Islam is definitely this table’s essence, but, on the other hand, Islam is not only a religion fervently embraced by Muslim faithful, but also an unconditional gift to all mankind. It is a gift that would be a sin to turn down, if not as a source of faith in God, as a source of more faith in man, in oneself, in one who not only should but can be.

Such a table is not superfluous, it is not old-fashioned,  it has not become an obsolete in the world we know today, but it is in the place it deserves, in its time in this world where progress, technology, artificial intelligence, not only have they not made trust less necessary, but on the contrary. And it can’t be otherwise indeed, as long as religion is one of the most important aspects of human spiritual history and one of the most irreplaceable parts of anatomy and human culture as a whole.

Through the bridge of religions, people transcend their bestial-like dimension to usher in a spiritual domain, where truth and secret are inextricably linked and where an inner relationship with an afterlife being takes shape.

Islam has been depicted as the religion of equals. We have come together today as Muslims and Christians, believers and non-believer, as equal people around the table of an equal religion, which demands of us no submission other than respect for one another, togetherness in goodness, togetherness in self-restraint with an open mind to pay attention to others, stand shoulder to shoulder without taking any advantage, just like the Prophet on bended knees alongside His last follower in the fight of the equals in the name of their God.

The Islamic religion and civilization, notwithstanding all the systematic misinformation based on as vulgar as lethal simplification of Eastern fundamentalism, as well as the propaganda and even racist falsification by the Western fundamentalism, have survived through a revelation that freedom of conscience, sovereignty and knowledge and the individual free choice have been crowned since the very onset.

I wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters may Ramadan fasting is easy and prayers and devotions get acceptance!

As for the rest of us, I wish that regardless of different beliefs and diverse disbelief, we all find very much strength for self-control and reasons for understanding within the limits of our existence, however very temporary one.

May God be with us all, with your families, with Albania and Albanians!

Thank you!

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In his remarks, the premier Rama called for calmness, serenity, patience, faith.

The Prime Minister Rama expressed confidence that, “Sunday will mark the end of the curse of the past on the path of Albanians.”

According to the administrator of Vaqarr, Gentian Myrto, supporters of the Democratic Party, led by Florenc Hoxha, have halted meal deliveries to residents of the Ibra neighborhood in Vaqarr planned for iftar dinner. //a.i/