Woodland Mosque and Islamic Center Hosts Interfaith Iftar
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali
The Woodland Mosque and Islamic Center held an annual iftar on May 25, 2019 which drew a large crowd of the Woodland community.
The Iftar was attended, among others, by the Woodland Mayor Xochitl Rodriguez, City officials as well as clergy from other faiths and denominations.
Community leader Khalid Saeed was emcee of the event.
Woodland City Council Member Angel Barajas introduced the Woodland Mayor Xochitl Rodriguez.
Addressing the gathering Mayor Rodriguez thanked the Woodland mosque for opening its doors for members of the community. She read a Woodland City proclamation recognizing the Woodland Mosque and Islamic Center for its commitment to healing America and all Americans, locally and nationally.
The proclamation said the Woodland Mosque and Islamic Center embraces all ethnic and religious groups and is a community center for all. It is an educational institution and a place of spiritual and personal development.
The proclamation hailed the Board of Directors of the Woodland Mosque for dedication to the community as well as inter-religious dialogue.
The proclamation pointed out that on May 8, 2019, ground breaking was celebrated for building a new Woodland mosque.
“The Woodland Mosque through its affiliation with the American Muslim Voice, American Pakistani Foundation, and interfaith community continually promotes peace and harmony in the community through events such as the annual Peace Picnic, Challenge of Abraham, and, most recently, the Muslim Youth Leadership Conference,” the proclamation pointed out.
The proclamation expressed hope that the Woodland Mosque will continue to foster a culture of acceptance, mutual respect and harmony for all members of the community.
Khalid Saeed introduced the Woodland Mosque board. AhadPervaiz is the President of the Mosque and the Board Members include Ali Khadim, Bashir Choudry, Mohammad Afzal, Mubarak Ali, Sadia Naseer, ShafiSialvi, Usman Sadiq, and Zahoor Ahmad.
Rev. Dr Larry Love, President of Woodland Ecumenical &Multifaith Ministries (WEMM), spoke about the WEMM which is dedicated to protect, promote, and empower all faith communities in and around the city of Woodland without exception.
“The WEMM is in existence for at least 35 years. Its members include ten denominations, Woodland Mosque and Sikhs Serving the Yolo County, he said adding that American Muslim Voice led by SaminaSundas, Khalid Saeed and AbdusSattarGhazali, are doing good work for bridging barriers in Woodland as well as in Northern California.
Rev. Love expressed the hope that next year the Interfaith Iftar will be hosted in the New Woodland Mosque.
Others speaking at the Interfaith Iftar included: Art Primental, ex-Mayor of Woodland and now President of Woodland Community College; Jesse Salinas, Tax Collector, County Clerk and Election Chief; Woodland Fire Department Chief Rebecca Ramirez; Woodland City Manager Paul Navazio; former Woodland Mayor Tom Stallards; and Imam Hassan Khan.
Earlier, the program began with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Ayesha Sadiq. She also presented the translation of the Qur’anic verses.
RameeshaSattar was next to provide the experience of fasting of young Muslims during the month of Ramadan which is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar.
Visiting Imam Hassan Khan spoke about the significance of the month of Ramadan for Muslims.
Prayer before meal was performed by Woodland Mosque Imam Saeed while Haroon Bashir recited the Maghreb prayer.
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