Unity at Sunset: Interfaith Iftar
September 17, 2009 by Haley Etchison
Students of different faiths gather at the Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Newman Center to celebrate the end of Ramadan
The room was silent as the song began.
The Takbir sounded and the faces of the devout reflect its meaning: “God is great!”
Some reach to take a piece of fruit from the plates in the centers of the tables where small groups sit, and solemnly eat.
Tuesday marked the celebration of Iftar, the holiday at the close of Ramadan – the month of fasting on the Muslim calendar. During the 30 days of Ramadan, many followers of Islam observe the cleansing rituals of fasting, choosing to abstain from food, water, sexual activity and all unclean behaviors during daylight hours the whole month.
The Prophet Muhammad traditionally broke his fast by eating dates and the practice continues today from, homes in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, to a hall in the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Newman Center where members and guests of the UNLV Muslim Students’ Association gathered to celebrate Iftar.
As the beautiful, haunting tones of the Adhan – the call to prayer –
fade away, guests adjourn to the foyer to fill plates with food and
celebrate.
But the Muslims in the congregation moved outside to pray, so I went with them.
Ramadan is about cleansing the soul and asking God for forgiveness of sins. While Islam teaches its followers to pray five times daily, I knew that the Maghrib Prayer, at the close of the fast, was a special one.
I approached the place where white sheets were spread on the ground for prayer. A student I did not know noticed my cautious demeanor and gave an inquisitive smile.
She asked if I knew how to pray.
Like many of the guests at the the MSA’s third annual Interfaith Iftar, I was familiar with Islam and its teachings, but I had never practiced them.
Hands at the sides of my head, I spoke – God is great! – and folded my hands in reverence. At the signal of a speaker who repeated the incantation, I followed the unison movements of the worshipers in two closely packed lines in front of me, bringing my hands to my knees.
Another repetition. I stood upright.
Another. I knelt, placed the palms of my hands flat and bowed to touch my face to the ground.
Another. Kneeling on folded legs, I sat up with my hands on my knees and bowed my head.
Another. I bowed again.
Another. I stood.
Like many at the event, I was learning. Prayer in Islam, like in any
faith, is not mere rote repetition of words or actions. As the sequence
began again, I allowed my mind to ponder the meaning of Ramadan and the
importance of what I was recognizing.
“It means having the patience to cleanse your soul,” Samamy el-Shaal
had explained to the group gathered to learn about and celebrate Iftar.
“To do whatever it takes to cleanse your soul of all the bad things –
all the sins.”
El-Shaal is a sophomore in the computer science department. He gave a presentation at the event, explaining the history and purpose of Ramadan, encouraging Muslims and educating the MSA’s diverse guests.
He shed light on one of the fundamental reasons behind the Muslim
students’ willingness to welcome people of different faiths to the
celebration, in his further explanation of the meaning of the tradition:
“It teaches us to perform good will,” he said. “It teaches us patience and patience is rewarded in Paradise.”
And patient they were. Members of the MSA, mixed with the crowd of newcomers, offered insight for the wonderers and answered questions for all those who were interested. Though eager to share their faith, there was no need for the contention and debate that so often fills conversations between people with different beliefs.
This could be because Muslims learn to refrain from argument during Ramadan and practice both physical and mental self control. But the environment of mutual respect and learning also has to do with the environment president Bir Azam says the MSA strives to establish through all its activities.
“We want to keep a friendship between Muslims in Las Vegas and non-Muslims,” he explained. Azam pointed out increasing politicization of religion – especially of Islam in the wake of increased focus on the Middle East after 9/11 – led to misunderstandings.
“The MSA has been working since then to give everyone a better understanding [of our faith],” he said.
The Interfaith Iftar, for both guests and MSA members, was a paramount example of these efforts at work.
Tom Howerter of the Catholic Newman Center explained that the Center
does not regularly rent its facilities to outside groups, but made the
point that for the MSA, his organization is happy to make an exception
in the interest of supporting what they know will always be a strong
and responsible interfaith initiative.
“We want to make sure they come back every year,” Howerter said.
I couldn’t help but admire the strength of resolve it took the Muslim attendees of Tuesday’s event to remain true to the commitments of Ramadan, and the good will with which they each shared their experience and conviction with me and other newcomers.
Sophomore Amin Nash said it best when he explained, “It’s Ramadan and my faith is what keeps me straight. It’s what keeps me steady.”
Comments