U.S. Ramadhan iftar for non-Muslims

Cairo, NU Online
Capitalizing on the holy fasting month's spirit of sharing and seeking to enhance understanding of their faith, American Muslims in South Jersey region organized a collective iftar that joined them with their non-Muslim neighbors.

"The idea is just to share with our non-Muslim community the meaning of Ramadhan," Rafey Habib, a member of the Islamic Center of South Jersey, told the Courier Post Sunday, August 30.<>

"It's a time of giving and it's a time of sharing."

Celebrating the advent of Muslims’ holy month, the Center opened its doors to the area’s non-Muslims to share iftar banquets with members of the Muslim community.

It was the third year that the Islamic Center organizes such an event during Ramadan.

This year, the event has drawn over 50 non-Muslims from the neighboring areas.

When the sunset fell, guests watched as Muslims gathered for Maghreb prayer, the fourth of the five daily Muslim prayers.

After the prayer, everyone gathered on the banquet for the meal by which Muslims break their day-long fast.

Ramadhan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, started on Saturday, August 22, in South Africa, where Muslims make up to 1.5 percent of a 44-million population.

In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.

Most dedicate their time during the holy month to become closer to Allah through self-restraint, good deeds and prayer.

Understanding

Muslims believe that along with bringing the community together, collective iftars with non-Muslims can help fostering understanding for their much- stereotyped faith.

"It's so that they actually know what Muslims are all about, so that we understand each other and the fears of the unknown are put to rest," said Naseem Badat, who organizes many of the mosque's interfaith and outreach initiatives, told the newspaper.

Non-Muslim visitors were greeted at the mosque with a brief introduction to Islam's holiest month, which marks the time when the Noble Qur’an was revealed to prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

Badat said many non-Muslims also felt related to the aspect of Ramadan fast because fasting is practiced by many of the world's largest religions.

"The principles of Ramadan remind us of the common principles that we all share."

Paul Monson, who attended the event with his wife and three sons, said the event introduced him to things he did not know about the muslim community in South Jersey.

"I had no idea that there was a mosque in South Jersey," said Monson.

He added that he came out of the event with a new picture about the Muslim community.

"I think it's great that they're reaching out to the community," he added.

"It says a lot about them that they're doing this."

The United States is home to a Muslim minority of between six to seven million.

A recent Pew Research Center and the Pew Forum poll showed that the majority of Americans know very little about the practices of Islam. (dar)