INTERFAITH IFTAR (feast breaking daily Ramadan fast)

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The InterFaith Council of
Southwestern Connecticut is sponsoring its fourth  Interfaith
Iftar – the feast at the end of each
days’ fasting during Ramada. This year’s feast will be held on Sunday, July 21st
at the First Congregational Church,
One Walton Place (at Bedford Street). Prayers begin at sundown (8:20) – people are
invited to gather at 7:45. Following the traditional Muslim prayers, all will
enjoy a potluck meal. 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.

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 by Thursday,
July 18th  (go to Upcoming Events
at www.interfaithcouncil.org or
call 203-348-2800). 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).

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 board president, Dr.
Kareem Adeeb says, “The Interfaith Council sponsors this Iftar each year as a
symbol of 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.

Ramadan is about more than the
physical fasting from food and water. 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.