Korea celebrates growing ties with Muslim community during Ramadan

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul speaks during the annual 2024 Iftar Dinner at a hotel in Seoul, Friday. Korea Times photo by Kim Hyun-bin

In a gathering commemorating the remarkable growth of ties between Korea and the Muslim world, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul emphasized the importance of fostering mutual understanding and respect among diverse cultures at the 20th annual "2024 Iftar Dinner" in Seoul, Friday.

Iftar, in Arabic, is the fast-breaking evening meal of Muslims during Ramadan.

“Having started as a gathering of some 20 participants in 2004, the Iftar dinner has grown tenfold to nearly 200 guests this evening,” Cho said at a dinner event in Seoul on Friday.

"The presence of business and religious leaders, scholars, students, journalists, as well as TV personalities and social media influencers, speaks volumes about the breadth and depth of ties between Korea and the Muslim world. This diverse representation is fitting for what has become an annual tradition dedicated to fostering mutual understanding and respect for different beliefs and cultures."

Reflecting on the historical ties between Korea and the Muslim community, Cho referenced a 9th-century account by the Persian geographer and writer Ibn Khordadbeh, who praised Korea's splendor, indicating a long-standing affinity between the two communities. He also acknowledged the significant contributions of Muslim soldiers during the Korean War and the subsequent economic cooperation that fueled Korea's growth in the 1970s.

“Today, we are witnessing another boom in cultural development and people-to-people interactions,” Cho said. “Around 1 million Muslim tourists are visiting Korea every year, while in return, more than 1 million Korean tourists are visiting Islamic countries.”

President Yoon Suk Yeol’s recent visits to Muslim-majority countries underscored Korea's commitment to strengthening its friendship with the Muslim world, with particular emphasis on promoting intercultural understanding and shared history.

Cho urged both Muslims and non-Muslims to reflect on the values of solidarity, kindness and resilience embodied by the holy month of Ramadan. He emphasized the importance of standing together and reaffirmed the shared humanity that unites people across cultures.

Moroccan Ambassador to Korea Chafik Rachadi speaks during the annual 2024 Iftar Dinner at a hotel in Seoul, Friday. Korea Times photo by Kim Hyun-bin

Moroccan Ambassador Chafik Rachadi, dean of the Arab Diplomatic Corps in Korea, emphasized the importance of the event and stressed its role in promoting understanding, friendship and cooperation between Korea and Arab and Islamic countries.

"Tonight's events not only promote understanding, friendship and cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the Arab and Islamic countries but also serve as an invaluable opportunity to disseminate universal values of religious solidarity and tolerance,” the ambassador said.

"Our Iftar gathering symbolizes that unity and coexistence."

Rachadi also reflected on the spiritual significance of Ramadan, stating, "As we sit together at this gathering, each of us — Muslim and host — witnesses and embodies the blessings of peaceful coexistence and unity. In the same way, as we gather here tonight, we are not simply sharing a meal to build our networks and nourish our individual goals. Rather, I'd like to think of this special meal as a time when we can all see the benefits and blessings of peace and long-lasting friendship between our communities, with the host country and throughout our region and the world."