Please join us this Sunday evening for an Iftar dinner experience as we observe the holy month of Ramadan and help create a better society by learning about the theme “Stories of Moses in the Islamic and Jewish Tradition” with parables and prayers from Imam Sundiata Rashid, who is the leader of a Lighthouse community mosque in Oakland, and Rabbi Larry Milder, who is Rabbi of Congregation Beth Emek in Pleasanton.

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Sunday, April 2 | MCC East Bay | Register at: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/interfaith-iftar

Space is limited at this multifaith Iftar. MCC congregation members: please attend ONLY if they accompany a friend, co-worker, or neighbor of another faith or nonfaith.

Iftar means ‘fast-breaking,’ and it is an integral part of the Muslim community’s life during the sacred month of Ramadan. Muslims break their daily Ramadan fast with a community dinner called an “iftar.”

Please RSVP your attendance so we can make sure to have adequate food.

Interfaith Iftar Event Schedule

• 6 p.m. – Arrival & Socializing and observing the 6 p.m. – Midday Prayer (Asr)
• 6:30 p.m. – The program begins with Rabbi Larry Milder & Imam Sundiata Rashid (Conference Room)
• 7:35 p.m. – Call to Prayer and Breaking of Fast (Banquet Fellowship Hall)
• 7:40 p.m. – Prayer at Sunset in Prayer Hall (Maghrib) followed by Iftar Dinner in Banquet Fellowship Hall

This is the fifth community Iftar in the Tri-Valley.

• Here was 2017: “What Ramadan Means to Me:” https://youtu.be/tiJgEJT-DM8
• Here was 2018 “Why Faith Matters:” https://youtu.be/5J8rL9Hepog
• Here was 2019 “Loving Across the Difference”: https://youtu.be/JzK7JexOxLw
• Here was the 2022: “Loving Across the Difference”: https://youtu.be/Hb8_0IUwCBU

The Holy month of Ramadan

“Iftar” is the fast-breaking meal observed each evening at sundown during the holy month of Ramadan. The Interfaith Iftar Dinner allows the whole community to join our Muslim friends for an evening meal as they break their Ramadan fast.

This year, in 2023, the month of Ramadan is even more special because, for the second year, it overlaps with several religious holy days and traditions, including the celebrations of Passover, Easter, Vaisakhi, Mahavir Jayanti, and Theravada New Year. Muslims, Jews, Christians, Baha’is, Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists, and others will all be practicing their significant religious and cultural traditions around the same time. This overlapping of spring holy days will not happen again until 2054. This convergence is a significant opportunity to remind us of the interconnectedness of our communities, and it’s a chance to recommit to our highest ideals and our goals to build communities where everyone is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

From Islamic Networks Group (ING):

Ramadan Mubarak- Blessed Ramadan!

Ramadan Mubarak or “blessed Ramadan” to all observing the Islamic lunar month of fasting, which begins on March 23rd and lasts until April 20th. Muslims in the US and worldwide commemorate the month–in which Muslims believe the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad–through fasting, prayer, and charity, as well as communal gatherings with family, friends, and neighbors.

ING has a number of free resources on Ramadan for all types of educators, which are being downloaded across the United States, and in Europe and Asia.

Educator and Workplace Resources for Ramadan

Muslims in the US and worldwide will be observing Ramadan, the Islamic lunar month of fasting, from March 23^rd to April 20^th. ING has a number of free resources for all types of educators about the month and its significance to Muslim Americans:

–Online presentation on “An Overview of Ramadan and Fasting,” which includes a PowerPoint presentation and scripts.

–Ramadan Information Sheet on the purpose of fasting, special activities, and more.

–Seven Steps for Supporting Muslim Employees During Ramadan article by Charterworks.com.

–Religious Practices of Muslim Students in Public Schools webpage, which includes information on prayer, fasting, dietary restrictions, attire, and more.

–Calendar of Important Islamic Dates, including Ramadan, Eid ul-Fitr, and other Muslim holidays.

-ING also offers in-person or virtual presentations and diversity trainings for educators, corporate managers and staff, and healthcare providers. 

For Muslim Teens

Online presentation on Ramadan for use by Muslim teens in classroom presentations.