San Diego Muslims Host ‘Breaking of the Fast’ For Ramadan
It is one of the most significant religious periods for Muslims.
On each day of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset. They break their daily fasts by sharing a meal, known as "iftar,” with loved ones.
In San Diego on Wednesday, the 18th night of Ramadan, Muslims with the Islamic Center of San Diego had an interfaith iftar with about 90 community members at Sufi Mediterranean Cuisine. Attendees included law enforcement and elected officials, organizers and clergy.
"We hope that this beautiful tradition will remain and grow as an opportunity to build and strengthen our relationship,” said Imam Taha Hassane, director of the Islamic Center of San Diego. "Muslims in this blessed month of Ramadan work very hard on improving and strengthening their spiritual relationship with the creator.”
Islam is the world’s second largest religion after Christianity, according to the Pew Research Center. A 2011 survey estimated there were 1.8 million Muslim adults in the United States.
There are no current estimates of the Muslim population in San Diego County, according to local Muslim leaders. Between 2000 and 2010, the county’s Muslim population grew by 179 percent, from 7,878 followers to 21,994, according to the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies.
This year’s holy fasting period came amid rising Islamophobia, following terrorist attacks worldwide in which gunmen have pledged allegiance to Daesh (ISIL).
In the most recent attack on June 12, Omar Mateen gunned down 49 victims at a nightclub in Orlando. Though investigators continue to try to pin down Mateen’s motive for the attack — the largest mass shooting in US modern history — 911 recordings and witness accounts indicate Mateen was acting in allegiance with Daesh.
Muslims at ICSD’s iftar condemned the attack, stressing that their religion is peaceful and teaches followers to accept others without limitations.
"This year we are coming together while our nation is witnessing an unprecedented wave of Islamophobia and hateful actions against different minorities,” Hassane said.
"We have chosen to stand in solidarity, supporting one another. We might disagree with each other, but when it comes to our human and civil rights, when it comes to preserving our human dignity, we have no other choice but to stand together.”
The Islamic Center presented awards to several community members to recognize their solidarity with the Muslim community. Those honored were Bishop James Mathes of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, Jeanne Brown of the League of Women Voters, Pastor Jamie Wilson of the Coast Vineyard Church, and Khaled Alexander.
Source: San Diego Tribune
