Iftar Dinner at Woodlands Community Temple

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and it is known as the most blessed month. Muslims all around the world starts fasting by abstaining from food, drink and certain other physical needs during the daylight hours.

Aside from physical needs, it also requires a total commitment of the person’s character and soul to the spirit of the fast. For instance, sharing and caring for one another are the key commitments during this month. In this regard, Peace Islands Institute New York organizes Iftar Dinners every year with different organizations. The idea is to gather people from all cultural and religious backgrounds and make them interact, communicate and share values since this is the month of opportunity to strengthen ties with family and friends in our community.

On Saturday, May 26th Peace Islands hosted an interfaith Ramadan Iftar at Woodlands Community Temple in Westchester to commemorate the Muslim Holy month of fasting. The event was cosponsored by Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom and Woodlands Community Temple.

The program started with a welcome speech and Havdallah by Rabbi Billy Dreskin and continued with Murat Omur (President of Peace Islands Institute New York), Dr. Mahjabeen Hassan, Annetta Rotter (board member of Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom) and Prof. Alex Morel (Board Member of Embrace Relief).

With over 100 in attendance the night of dialogue proved to be platform for some diverse, interesting, and hopeful.