SALAM’s 22nd Annual Interfaith Iftar Brings the Sacramento Community together
By Ras H. Siddiqui
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The Sacramento Area League of Associated Muslims (SALAM) held its 22nd Annual Interfaith Iftar (breaking of the Ramadan fast) at its own community center on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. The theme of the program this year was “Surely with hardship, comes ease.” Here once again after a two-year hiatus, prominent community members were able to get together in person with some of the Muslim leadership in California’s Capital City to get reacquainted, break bread, and offer thanks for the transformation of the COVID pandemic to an endemic (with hope and prayers Inshallah). And whether one was fasting or not, the conversation between faiths continued to flow at the tables that validated the need for this annual gathering which by now has become a Sacramento area tradition.
City of Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg also briefly joined us again this year at this Iftar. With all the issues that the mayor has been dealing with lately, including the plight of the homeless, gang violence downtown, and refugee resettlement (recently Afghan and Ukrainian), it should be noted that Darrell who is of the Jewish faith made it a point to be here. He is such a regular attendee at this event now that this writer had to mention that it could not be done without him. Besides the mayor, this annual Iftar also welcomes representatives of law enforcement (federal and local),and they were represented here once again.
After registration and seating, the formalities started with emcee Asif Haq welcoming the guests and giving a brief overview of the program schedule. A customary invocation, a beautiful recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Imam Amr Dabour along with its translation, set the spiritual tone for the evening. That Imam Amr will be leaving SALAM to rejoin his alma mater in Egypt was sad news to hear because he has done a great deal for this organization. SALAM’s entire congregation wishes him the very best.
SALAM Board Chairperson Omar MoheyEldin next presented official words of welcome to everyone. He said that this was the 20th Interfaith Iftar at SALAM in person and adding the last two years of virtual gatherings, it was the 22nd time that this event was being held. Reflecting on the theme for the evening, Omar added that we experienced two difficult years but with God’s help we prevailed. This interfaith community is a resilient one. We were at the frontlines, providing guidance to those in need, and opening our places of worship for testing and vaccinations. He also expressed happiness that we could finally gather again for a meal together in this very significant month of Ramadan. The Board Chair also thanked the sponsors of this event namely Anjum Saeed, Ayad Al-Qazzaz Fawzia and Ashraf Keval, Javed Iqbal, Kais Menoufy, Javed Siddiqui, Metwalli and Rosalie Amer, Osama Hassoun, Sharif Jewelers and Waseem and Joumana Bawa.
Co-emcee Dr Anne Kjemtrup next presented the youth speakers, remarking that bringing together and organizing them is one of her favorite tasks and the audience will soon hear why. And if one might add to her words here, the youth segment may be the most significant part of our interfaith discourse because they represent the future. It is what they feel and think which will carry our collective community forward. And at this event teenagers Celene Puka, Tommy Contreras, Vanessa Huckleby and Haffez Elfarra presented their personal views eloquently while representing their Muslim, Christian and Jewish faiths. They shared their thoughts on the spiritual challenges of fasting, living through the COVID-19 pandemic, and reflecting on the community and the world during the process.
Asif Haq next took the opportunity to introduce SALAM’s new Executive Director Abdul-Qawiy Abdul-Karim who started his role on February 1st, 2022. We welcome Brother Abdul-Karim in his leadership role.
Another significant part of this Annual Interfaith Iftar is the presentation of the SALAM Distinguished Award to a significant contributor to the local community. This year one is happy to report that it was time to recognize the neighbors of our Mosque. To do just that Br Omar Moheyeldin and Dr Metwalli Amer came on stage and presented the award to Melanie Dixon, President of American River College (ARC) which happens to be located right across the street of the SALAM facilities. When Melanie Dixon assumed her new assignment as President of ARC, one of her first initiatives was to reach out to SALAM to get acquainted and tour our Center. She also shared her vision of the ARC community to be a diverse campus that is open to all (including many Muslims who attend). SALAM presented its Distinguished Award to President Melanie Dixon for her “Excellent Interfaith and Community Services and “Her Unwavering Commitment to build ARC Community through an aspirational vision of Diversity, Human Dignity, Justice, and Equality for all.” Melanie graciously accepted the award.
Imam Amr Dabour next presented a very detailed account on the “Significance of Ramadan” which was informative, spiritually uplifting, and not without a tinge of humor. His emphasis was on the theme of abstaining during the holy month. Abstaining from food, drink and worldly pleasures was one part. But Imam Amr also touched on family, community, and the cultural impact that Ramadan has. His highlighting of the special foods which are prepared during the month in the Muslim world, proved to be a big hit here, especially amongst the fasting people present. But if one were to pick one very important segment of his talk, it would be that during this month one must also abstain from hate! And he prayed to God to help us do that.
Next, in the Interfaith Prayer segment three representatives of the Abrahamic faiths shared their thoughts and prayers. And in order of religious seniority Rabbi Mona Alfi, representing the Jewish faithand the local Congregation B'nai Israel, spoke first. She said that it was a beautiful sight to see us all back at the SALAM Center in person with the companionship (and the food). Isn’t it wonderful? She said that 3 is a sacred number in Judaism. And 3 is the number of religions that come from our father Abraham (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). And every 33 years our 3 faiths celebrate our holiest days at the same time when Passover, Easter, and Ramadan overlap. Rabbi Alfi elaborated on Passover during which Jews celebrate their freedom physically, intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally. In closing she stressed peace between our 3 faiths which have so much in common.
Rev Alan Jones of the St Mark’s United Methodist Church spoke next. Rev Jones had been inviting us to St Marks for a Ramadan Iftar before the pandemic hit and we hope that we can meet there at the Church once again. He said that it was wonderful to see everyone (again) and thanked SALAM, adding that we are the promise of a new community. He also said that we are a tiny fraction of our communities here and hoped that the rest can meet in a similar way. Let us do what we can to make that happen. Rev Jones was in a pensive mood that evening and dug deep into faith to pray for people suffering war (Ukraine). He called for a collective (Interfaith) prayer for peace, against violence and injustice. He stressed sharing instead of continued conflict (let us all add our Amen to that).
Imam Amr Dabour came back to close the segment representing the Islamic faith and recited the Adhan (Azaan) or the Muslim call to prayer announcing the breaking of the fast. After the consumption of dates and appetizers, Muslims walked over to the SALAM Mosque for Magrib Prayers, while their guests were welcome to observe them there or go straight to the fine Mediterranean dinner which was being served.
In closing, it would be appropriate to thank the pioneers of the interfaith movement worldwide for trying to create understanding and make peace. In the case of Sacramento, Dr Metwalli Amer plus others at SALAM took the initiative and the wider Sacramento community responded. And if one looks at the three Abrahamic faiths (with so much in common) conflict and violence have not solved anything so far. Interfaith sharing and caring just might be the best way forward.
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