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SUMMARY:Multi-Faith Iftar: United in Faith\, Rooted in Understanding | Kashef Qaadri
DESCRIPTION:*MCC Congregation*: Space is limited. Please only RSVP if you are attending with a friend\, neighbor\, or coworker of another faith.* \nPlease 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 one another. Before dinner\, we will be joined by Dublin Councilmember Kashef Qaadri\, who will share reflections on our theme\, “United in Faith\, Rooted in Understanding\,” and discuss ways to strengthen our community bonds. \n6 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Sunday\, March 8\, 2026 | MCC East Bay | Register at mcceastbay.org/iftar-rsvp \nMCC congregation members: Space is limited at this interfaith Iftar. Please attend ONLY if they accompany a friend\, co-worker\, or neighbor of another faith or of no faith. \nIftar 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.” \nPlease RSVP your attendance so we can ensure we have enough food. \nInterfaith Iftar Event Schedule \n\n– 6 p.m. – Arrival & Socializing\n– 6:15 p.m. – “United in Faith\, Rooted in Understanding” Program & Q&A with Dublin Councilmember Kashef Qaadri (Conference Room)\n– 7:12 p.m. – Call to Prayer and Breaking of Fast with dates and water (Banquet Hall)\n– 7:15 p.m. – Prayer at Sunset (Prayer Hall)\n– 7:25 p.m. – Iftar Dinner (Banquet Hall)\n\nThis is the eighth community Iftar in the Tri-Valley. \n\n– Here is the 2017: “What Ramadan Means to Me:” https://youtu.be/tiJgEJT-DM8\n– Here is the 2018 “Why Faith Matters” https://youtu.be/5J8rL9Hepog\n– Here is the 2019 “Loving Across the Difference”: https://youtu.be/JzK7JexOxLw\n– Here is the 2022: “Loving Across the Difference”: https://youtu.be/Hb8_0IUwCBU\n– Here is the 2023: “Moses in Islamic & Jewish Tradition”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU_na-MYy9Y&t\n– Here is the 2024: “Food\, Faith & Fasting”: https://youtu.be/-b4qEhICLbA\n– Here is the 2025: Finding Faith Through Service to Our Community: https://youtu.be/zSnXoXB0cL4?\n\nRamadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar\, observed by Muslims worldwide as a sacred time of fasting\, prayer\, reflection\, and community. Iftar is the evening meal that breaks the daily fast at sunset. \nFor interfaith iftars\, Muslims and non-Muslims are invited to sit down to go beneath the headlines and understand what brings us strength and courage\, and the stories of real struggles\, fears\, hopes\, and dreams that have shaped who we are. \nFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS \n• What is Ramadan?  \nDuring Ramadan\, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar\, Muslims believe the first verses of the Qur’an (the Sacred book of Islam) were revealed to Prophet Muhammad – Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH). In essence\, from sunrise until sundown\, Muslims around the world focus on practicing abstinence in its entirety\, particularly by refraining from eating and drinking. Read more here. \n• What is an iftar?  \nIftar is the meal eaten to break one’s fast during the holy month of Ramadan. \n• Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?  \nFasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Starting with the new moon\, Ramadan lasts 30 days or until the next new moon. During the hours of fasting\, Muslims are encouraged to read the Quran\, refrain from smoking\, sex\, ill-thinking\, and ill-doing. \n• What is Maghrib prayer?  \nThe Maghrib prayer is prayed just after sunset\, the fourth of five obligatory daily prayers performed by practicing Muslims. \n• How does the iftar dinner work?  \nIftar (literally\, “break-fast”) starts after the evening Maghrib prayer adhan\, or call for prayer. The prayer time for Maghrib varies by location and school of thought (Sunni or Shia). \n• What does halal mean?  \nHalal means lawful or permitted in Arabic. When describing food\, it refers to the dietary standard prescribed in the Qur’an. \n• Does fasting mean that you’re also not drinking water? \nYes. Fasting during the daylight hours during Ramadan includes not drinking water. \nThe Holy Month of Ramadan \n“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. \nRamadan in America \nRamadan is about renewing a Muslim’s commitment to God and undergoing a physical and spiritual training program to increase intimacy with his or her faith. \nThe reward for a successful Ramadan is no less than the forgiveness of all sins. Imagine starting with a new slate\, clean with God! So\, in addition to all the improvements Ramadan can make in one’s character and health\, we get to start over with a clean slate. (All our good deeds remain; only the bad deeds disappear). With all these benefits derived from the observance of this blessed month\, is it any wonder that Ramadan is the best time of the year for every Muslim? \nA surprising number of people of other faiths also observe the Ramadan fast here in North America. They recognize the disciplining effects of the fast and use their time to come closer to God. Every year\, Islamic centers receive calls from non-Muslims asking how the fast is performed and where they can get a month-long chart showing the start and end times of each day’s fast. Employers and schools are also beginning to make accommodations for the needs of their Muslim workers and students. \nBecause the month of Ramadan falls about a week earlier each year as the lunar calendar rotates backward through the solar calendar\, Muslims experience varying conditions during their fast. The fasting period is longer in the summer and shorter in the winter. \nThere are also occasions to fast throughout the rest of the year. The Prophet Muhammad’s habit was to fast twice weekly\, on Mondays and Thursdays. \nChildren in Ramadan \nChildren will be present during the prayers\, whether participating\, watching\, or\, for younger children\, imitating the movements of their elders. Their presence continues the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad\, who was very tender toward children. The Prophet sometimes carried one of his grandchildren on his shoulder while leading the prayer and was also known to shorten the prayer if he heard a baby cry. \nMore about Ramadan \nThere are no special preparations to begin the month of Ramadan. Some Muslims fast in anticipation of the month. Muslims understand that it is going to be a month of intense religious devotion and a time of self-denial: no food\, drink\, sex\, profanity\, fighting\, or lying allowed from first light to sundown. The main components of the month consist of two meals: one before sunrise and the other at sunset. \nOne particular night of Ramadan has special significance. It is the exact night the Qur’anic revelation was first revealed to Muhammad in 610 C.E. It is known as Laylat ul Qadr\, or the Night of Power. According to the Prophet Muhammad\, it falls on one of the odd-numbered nights in the last ten days of Ramadan. Many Muslims stay up all night seeking the Lord’s forgiveness and guidance. \nThank you for joining us. \nThe Iftar\, or “fast-breaking\,” is an integral part of the Muslim community’s life during the sacred month of Ramadan. Every day of the month\, at sunset\, Muslims gather in homes and mosques to break their fast together. This communal meal comes after a day of self-discipline in which Muslims abstain from food and drink and make an extra effort to avoid impatience and harsh words. After eating\, Muslims will spend the evening seeking the pleasure of God through contemplation and prayer. \nThe Islamic Greeting \nThe Islamic greeting frequently heard in the mosque is the Arabic phrase\, “as-salaam alaykum” (“peace be with you”). It is returned by saying\, “wa alaykum as-salaam (“and with you be peace”).” \nWhat is Ramadan? \nRamadan (pronounced rom-a-don) is the ninth month of the lunar calendar used by Muslims. This month is special because the Qur’an (the Islamic scripture) was first revealed in it. During Ramadan\, all healthy adult Muslims fast by abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset. They also strive to abstain from all evil speech and actions. It is recommended that each Muslim read the entire Qur’an during this month. \nWhen will the fast be broken? \nAt sunset\, the adhan (call to prayer) will be made. This call to prayer is always recited melodiously in Arabic. The adhan signals Muslims to break their fasts\, often done with the traditional three dates and water. Before sitting down to a meal\, Muslims stand together for the sunset prayer\, one of the five daily prayers Muslims must perform. \nThe Call to Prayer (translation) \n\nGod is Most Great\, God is Most Great\nGod is Most Great\, God is Most Great\nI bear witness that there is no god but (the One) God\nI bear witness that there is no god but (the One) God\nI bear witness that Muhammad is a Messenger of God\nI bear witness that Muhammad is a Messenger of God\nHasten to prayer\, Hasten to prayer\nHasten to success\, Hasten to success\nGod is Most Great\, God is most Great\nThere is no god but (the One) God\n\nThe Sunset Prayer \nAfter the call to prayer\, Muslims will hasten to the mats to line up for congregational prayer. They will form tight ranks\, symbolizing unity and equality within the Muslim community. Men and women form separate lines for the prayer to maintain modesty and concentration during the physical movements of standing\, bowing\, and prostration. Their separation does not indicate any relative superiority or inferiority. \nThe prayer begins as the Imam\, or prayer leader\, raises his hands with the words “Allahu Akbar (“God is the Most Great”).” From that moment\, worshippers are required to devote total concentration to the prayer as they follow the words and actions of the Imam. \nThe Imam first recites the opening chapter of the Qur’an (entitled al-fatiha) aloud\, then follows with more Qur’anic verses of his choosing. After the recitation\, worshippers bow and prostrate in unison\, silently glorifying God. \nWhen will the fast be broken? \nThe prayer ends as worshippers turn their faces to either side with the Arabic words “Peace be with you and the mercy of God.” Some of the congregation will then stand to leave\, while others will add their devotions. \nAl-Faitha (Translation) \nThe Qur’an’s opening chapter is akin to the “Lord’s Prayer.” \n\nIn the name of God\, the Compassionate\, the Merciful\nPraise be to God\, Lord of the Worlds\,\nThe Most Compassionate\, the Most Merciful\nRuler of the Day of Judgment\nOnly You do we worship\, Only You we ask for help\nShow us the straight path\nThe path of those whom You have favored\nNot that of those who earn Your anger nor those who go astray.\n\nThe Iftar \nAfter completing the sunset prayer\, Muslims join in a joyous and nutritious meal. Because Islam is a global religion\, many special Ramadan foods are enjoyed by different ethnic groups: soups\, salads\, rice dishes\, meats\, and sweets. \nDuring Ramadan\, Muslims begin their meals with “O God\, for you I fasted\, and in You I believe\, and with Your provision I broke my fast. After eating\, Muslims say “al-hamdu lillah (“Thanks be to God”).” \nThe Night Prayer \nThe final of the five daily prayers is said as night falls. Like the other four prayers\, it is preceded by the adhan and performed in congregation. \nQuestions? events@mcceastbay.org \n \n \n\nInterfaith Iftar events during Ramadan are community gatherings where Muslims invite people of other faiths to share the sunset fast-breaking meal. These events foster understanding\, build trust\, and combat discrimination by bringing people together for dialogue\, prayer\, and food\, while emphasizing shared values such as hospitality and service.  \n\n\nKey Aspects of Interfaith Iftars (2026):\n\nPurpose: These gatherings aim to break down barriers\, reduce fear-driven narratives\, and create spaces where Muslims are centered and honored.\nSignificance: They foster community-building\, allowing participants to move past stereotypes by focusing on shared humanity.\nActivities: Events often include a communal\, often potluck-style\, breaking of the fast (usually with dates and water)\, followed by speakers discussing faith\, social justice\, or shared values.\nOrganizers: Events are frequently organized by interfaith councils\, mosques\, nonprofits\, and educational institutions (e.g.\,).\nExamples: Recent examples include Muslim-Jewish interfaith iftars focusing on shared rituals\, and community-based\, multi-faith gatherings to foster local peace.
URL:https://mcceastbay.org/event/interreligion-iftar-ramadan/
LOCATION:MCC East Bay\, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300\, Pleasanton\, CA\, 94588\, United States
CATEGORIES:Interfaith & Community Outreach
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mcceastbay.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Interfaith-Iftar.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Muslim Community Center - East Bay":MAILTO:events@mcceastbay.org
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