INTERFAITH IFTAR

The InterFaith Council of Southwestern Connecticut is sponsoring its third Interfaith Iftar – this year on a Saturday night outside in downtown Stamford. It will begin at 7:30 pm on Saturday, July 21st, outside the First Congregational Church, One Walton Place (at Bedford Street). The Iftar is the daily breaking of the Ramadan fast for observant Muslims. This Iftar, falling at the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, will bring together people from many faith traditions. Members of Stamford’s Muslim communities will share food and prayers, hosted by a Christian church, with local rabbis and other religious leaders in attendance. All are welcome; reservations are requested (go to www.interfaithcouncil.org or call 203-415-1962). Participants will gather at 7:30 for some remarks and prayers, and be ready to break the fast together at sundown, which that day falls at 8:21.

The InterFaith Council holds many events to build understanding among the various traditions. This spring it held its first interfaith seder just before Passover. The Council’s new board president, Dr. Kareem Adeeb says, “The Interfaith Council has decided to sponsor this Iftar as a symbol of our relentless and continuous commitment to recognize and honor all the diverse components of the religious and spiritual fabric of society in the State of Connecticut in general, and Southwestern Connecticut in particular.” The Muslim congregation he leads is providing much of the meal, along with the hospitality of the First Congregational Church. All are welcome to gather to feast and to lift voices in prayer for peace, respect and collaborative ministry in the Stamford area and Southwestern Connecticut. For more information contact Kate Heichler (kateheichler@gmail.com).

Participants are invited to fast from sunrise onward that day if they so choose, abstaining from food and water, to deepen the experience of breaking fast. Local leader Zubaida Khan says, “The most important part of fasting is not just giving up the food but also controlling self-indulgence in all unproductive engagements, frivolous time and money expenditure and all negative emotions, particularly backbiting or gossiping. This time is also for kindness to all beginning right from our home into the community. The month is marked by charitable giving and feeding of any groups and individuals, particularly if they are needy.” (See below for more instructions on fasting for Ramadan.)

The InterFaith Council of Southwestern Connecticut is active in promoting cooperation and conversation among diverse faith communities in lower Fairfield County. Through a diverse array of special events, monthly interfaith discussions and many community initiatives, the InterFaith Council is making “the place for interfaith action and the space for interfaith conversation” in our communities. For more information on the InterFaith Council, call 203-348.2800 or check the InterFaith Council’s website, www.interfaithcouncil.org, or InterFaith Council on Facebook.