Ramadan Dinner for Neighbors Planned in Southborough¸ Massachusetts
It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran (the Islamic sacred book) to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) according to Islamic belief. This year it starts Tuesday, May 15 in North America.
Ramadan can also be, according to Dr. Sadfar Medina, one of the founding members of the interfaith group Southborough Neighbors for Peace, a way to bring members of the community together.
The group is inviting families in Southborough in Worcester County, US state of Massachusetts, to its third annual Iftar dinner, which will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Saturday, May 19, at 7 p.m. (Iftar is a meal eaten by Muslims after sunset during Ramadan.
Five Muslim families from Southborough will provide catered Middle Eastern food.
This year’s gathering will be held in memory of those lost in the Parkland, Fla. and Toronto tragedies. Non-perishable food data-x-items will be collected for the Southborough Food Pantry.
“This dinner really makes sense. The purpose of Ramadan is building a sense of community with everyone, not just those who observe,” Medina said.
“Ramadan is the most spiritual month for Muslims. Those who observe it are required to fast from sunrise to sunset, including abstaining from food and water.
“You have to redirect your life in a good way to make this work. That means being more conscious of everything you do. With fasting, there is a real sense of accomplishment. Also, it makes you realize that unlike you, there are people who are hungry and thirsty because they have no access to food.”
Recalling growing up in Toronto, Medina said, “I always thought of being a minority as a very positive thing. Years ago, Ramadan was very different since no one knew what it meant. Now the world has changed.”
Southborough Neighbors for Peace grew out of a connection between Medina and Reverend Phil LaBelle, the pastor at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. The two met through their children.
It was during the turmoil of the 2016 US presidential primaries that LaBelle reached out to him, Medina said.
“Reverend LaBelle said, ‘Let’s catch a cup of coffee because all of this is bothering me.’ We realized that Southborough is a wonderful place, and everyone is respected, but it would be better to have more interfaith dialogue.”
“As a Christian priest, I didn’t know much about Ramadan other than what I learned at seminary: that it was the month when Muslims fasted during the daylight hours in honor of the Prophet Muhammad receiving the Quran.,” LaBelle said. “What my Muslim neighbors have taught me is that while they fast during the day, there is great celebration and feasting when the sun sets.”
“My life has been enriched by these (interfaith) friendships and in learning more about the different ways people worship God,” he added.
Southborough Neighbors for Peace is now made up of a core group of 15 to 20 members, according to Medina.
“We have members who are Muslim, Jewish, Mormon, and Episcopalian,” he noted.
The group periodically meets and holds events, including a peace rally, potluck dinner, interfaith Thanksgiving dinner, and Christmas toy and clothing drive.
Source: communityadvocate.com
