SALAM Interfaith Iftar: A Time of Renewal and Hope
By Ras H. Siddiqui
The Sacramento Area League of Associated Muslims (SALAM) held its annual Iftar (breaking of the Ramadan fast) on May 6 th virtually via Zoom for the second year in a row due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most Mosques or Islamic Centers in and around California’s Capital City are slowly emerging out of their voluntary shutdowns after a year, and Friday prayers at least have resumed albeit with several shifts offered to reduce the congregational crowds, especially during this holy month of Ramadan. But unfortunately, we are still not at the stage where this community event with local interfaith leaders and friends could be held in person. Drive through Iftars are still the norm during Ramadan 2021.
This year the event theme for the evening was “Hope and Renewal” and God knows we are very much in the need both as the world faces one of the worst crises ever. It is time to band together and defeat COVID or face the consequences. Prayers from multiple religions are needed to cover all the bases against what is a continuing grim situation worldwide. And America is strongest when it is unified, and organizations like SALAM deserve commendation as they have been at the forefront of promoting unity amongst faiths in our communities for many years now.
Event coordinator Dr Anne Kjemtrup started things off on an optimistic note. She invited SALAM’s very own Imam Amr Dabour to start off the evening with the customary invocation. Words of official welcome followed from Brother Omar MoheyEldin who is the current Board Chairperson of the organization. Imam Dabour returned to deliver his Ramadan reflections, sharing the wisdom that is at the core of our Deen (belief). A video of SALAM’s activities especially during Ramadan was shared next.
A number of distinguished guests also shared their thoughts including Sister Mateenah Jackson who shared her Ramadan experience. Sacramento ACT’s Sister Kaleema Kennon Muttaqi introduced Brother Hasan Thibodeaux who shared his journey of Islam from incarceration to freedom, Sister Nathifa Nasim who is a Hafiz (one who has memorized the Holy Quran) too. Dr. Anne returned and thanked all of the people that made this program possible before the closing prayer.
The closing Interfaith Prayer was led by Rabbi Mona Alfi of the Congregation B’Nai Israel, followed by Rev Alan Jones from the St Marks Church and then Imam Amr Dabour of SALAM. It seemed befitting since this was in order of seniority within the Abrahamic faiths with Judaism being first, Christianity next and Islam being the youngest. The fact that an actual meal did not follow the closing prayer during the last two Ramadans did not go unnoticed. Next year Insha’Allah (God Willing) we hope to be able to break bread together again.
Eid Mubarak to our readers.
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