Page 13 - Pakistan Link - April 21, 2023

Vol. 33/16 Shawwal 1, 1444 AH
PAGE 14 PAGE 15
Muslims around Muslim Legislators
the World Consider Help Usher in a
Climate during Wave of Firsts at
Ramadan Texas Capitol
Interfaith Iftar Unites Community through Compassion
n By Ras H. Siddiqui
California
he Sacramento Area League of Associated
Muslims (SALAM) held its 23rd Annual
T Interfaith Iftar (Ramadan breaking of the
fast) at its own community center on Tuesday
April 11, 2023. This event has
become a tradition of sorts for
the regional interfaith commu-
nity and remains unique because
people who are not Muslim are
often observed to be in the ma-
jority here. The religious tradi-
tions (Passover, Easter and Ramadan) of the three
Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity and Is-
lam) overlap or converge every 32 years or so and
this year was one of them, giving this Iftar gather-
ing added focus.
Followers of Islam now have a significant
presence here in America, and the Sacramento
region is certainly no exception. This particular
Iftar event provides Muslims an opportunity not
only to share Islam in practice with other faiths,
but it also gives other faiths an opportunity to
share their beliefs with Muslims. In essence, this
interfaith Iftar taps into the plurality and diversity
of our region, state, and country, as America con-
tinues to be enriched by people of all faiths and
different ethnic backgrounds.
The event started off with seating and some
social time. Emcee Asif Haq called everyone to
attention and kicked things off a bit differently
this year as a short video was shown of an Imam
in Algeria leading Ramadan prayers while a cat
climbed up on him and sat on his shoulder. This
video has gone viral as the Imam was unphased
and continued leading the prayers and later end-
ed up affectionately acknowledging the cat. This
video happened to be in accord with the theme
for the evening.
Asif next welcomed the attendees and shared
the program schedule with everyone. He also ac-
knowledged the presence of a few local dignitar-
ies present here including representatives of the
US Attorney’s Office and the FBI. Also present
www.Pakistanlink.com
Friday, April 21, 2023 US & Canada $1.00
PAGE 22
Maya, Bilal’s
Beautiful For news, updated
Nikah Look round the clock,visit
from Yunhi www.PakistanLink
were leaders of leading local educational institu-
tions (e.g., CSU Sacramento, Los Rios, American
River College, etc.). Asif also thanked the people
who made this Iftar possible with their generous
sponsorship - Ayad Al-Qazzaz, Javed Iqbal, JTS
Engineering, Kais Menoufy, Metwalli & Rosalie
Amer, Sharif Jewelers and Waseem & Joumana
Bawa.
The program formalities started with young
Taha presenting a recitation from the Holy
Qur’an and the English translation of the verses.
This was immediately followed by an official wel-
come by SALAM’s Board Chairperson Omar Mo-
heyEldin. Omar said that today marks the 20th
day of Ramadan, and as we approach the last ten
days of the month, during which the first verses
of the Qur’an were revealed, we are honored to
break our fast together and share a meal with all
of you. Ramadan this year, as it did last year, falls
during the same days that our partners in faith
celebrate Easter and Passover, which is another
reminder of how much we have in common, he
said. SALAM is very proud to be a part of this
Sacramento Interfaith community. The theme for
this year’s Iftar is Compassion. You all opened
your places of worship to those that escaped war
and torture. With compassion, you held their
hands, made sure that they can practice their faith
freely and learn new skills to live and work with
dignity in this community, he added. I am hon-
ored to be with all of you this evening, we have
a special spiritual program for you and definitely
some good food!
The next segment was conceivably the most
important, because it pointed towards the Sacra-
mento region’s collective future. It was introduced
by Sister Anne Kjemtrup who has been associated
with SALAM for many years in many key capaci-
ties. She introduced three young people (in order
of the seniority of the religions) Noah Himovitz-
Ries (Judaism), Carter Koenig (Christianity)
and Miriam Huss (Islam). These teenagers were
asked to address the theme, “Compassion begets
compassion” from their respective faith tradition.
Noah revisited his Bar mitzvah, social work in
(Continued on page 23)