Shura Council Hosts Eighth Annual Interfaith Iftar

 

Anaheim, CA: The Islamic Shura Council of Southern California held its Eighth Annual Ramadan Interfaith Dinner with religious leaders and members of several faith groups on September 22, 2008. In attendance were also many civic leaders, such as Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and the Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles.
Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, Chairman, Shura Council, welcomed the guests and stressed the need for  continued dialog to improve mutually respectful relationships among people of all faith groups. He thanked the interfaith leaders for their friendship with the Shura Council and Muslims in Southern California and assured them of reciprocity.
Rabbi Eli Spitz of Temple B'Nai Israel, recalled the common story of Eden between Judaic and Islamic narrative and the lessons that Muslims and Jews can draw from self-restraint and tolerance.

"Let us all become messengers of peace, compassion and understanding," said the Bishop of Orange County Diocese, Most Reverend Bishop Tod Brown.
 Now retired Rabbi Allen Krause was recognized by the Orange County of Islamic Foundation, for his myriad contributions to the Interfaith activities between Jewish and Muslim communities. Rabbi Krause said, "We may not solve all problems of the world but we must celebrate the fact that we started that journey."
 "Law enforcement are peace-keepers and the faith communities are peace-makers," said the newly installed Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens. Recognizing the peace-making work of the Islamic Shura Council in Southern California, Sheriff Hutchens thanked the Council and assured its members of her office's full support at all times.
 "People, irrespective of their faiths and traditions," always help each other in times of crisis," said Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles, Arif Ali Khan. He recalled the recent tragedy of a Metrolink train crashing into a freight train, killing twenty five citizens of Los Angeles and said, "We must transcend crises and embrace the spirit of helping each other at all times."
 Dr. Maher Hathout, Vice Chairman of Shura Council, concluded the evening with a prayer and reminding everyone to reflect during the month of fasting about the increasing Islamophobia and our responsibility to end it.
Each year, Shura Council hosts civic and religious leaders to recognize its association with them during the last year and reaffirms its commitment to do so for the years to come.

 

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