Community. It’s something we all know we have when we want to have it but forget how beneficial it is when we need it most. We live in times of turbulence and uncertainty, and in those times being with a community of extraordinary individuals who are our neighbors seems to feel like one of the few safe environments we have. One such community that I have always felt embraced by is the Champaign-Urbana chapter of the Muslim American Society, or MAS. Every year MAS has an Annual Ramadan Dinner “Iftar” Celebration, which celebrates the spirit of Ramadan.
For those of you who may be unfamiliar, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is observed by individuals of Muslim faith as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of Quaran to the Prophet Muhammad. Ramadan is observed this year from June 6 to July 5, and the Iftar celebration that takes place during Ramadan is the momentary breaking of the fast at the sunset. It begins, preferably, by eating three dates to honor the tradition of Prophet Muhammad. If dates are not available, you can just drink water or eat anything else to break your fast.
I have attended the Iftar celebration in the past and was again invited by the MAS president Dr. Ahmad Taha to attend this year’s ceremony. Unlike my previous experience, when I went to the event as a novice, this year I was particularly excited to be invited because of how much enjoyment and generosity of spirit I had been shown at the event’s previous celebration.
Rolling into the newly constructed gym where the event was located, I was shocked to see beautiful strings of lights hanging from every direction amid seas of white table cloths and chairs with bows tied to them. It was a truly engaging sight and demonstrated the dedication of all of the men and women who helped set up the celebration.
The festivities started with a welcoming socialization, in which friends of MAS and neighbors could meet each other and learn from one another. This part of the event is essential to my own enjoyment, as not only does it allow people to interact with individuals they already know, but also to express curiosity and learn about cultures from people who may experience life differently than they do. At its core, what that part of the event reminds me of is that our differences don’t ever define us; they are an opportunity for us to learn from and share with one another.
The Supplication follows the welcoming portion of Iftar. That involvs giving thanks for the event and being grateful for the resources that had been bestowed upon everyone that evening. A request for peace for the victims of the shooting in Orlando was also in the supplication. It was written and read by two young girls from MAS. While it may have been a somber moment, it reminded me of how fortunate I am to have my life and the lives we all have been given.
For me, the highlight of the event was the Sunset Prayer, which took place after Supplication. This portion took place in the MAS Banquet Hall, where men, women and children engage in prayer after breaking the fast by eating dates and drinking water. This is by far the most moving part of the whole experience. The ability to witness community members of the Muslim faith allow other individuals outside of that religion to participate and to observe how they express and practice their faith is a powerful and honest moment. I was emotionally vulnerable and honored by this section of the event as such openness of the heart and spirit is something I rarely see.
Since I was not able to attend the whole event, the last portion I experienced was the actual dinner. The meal included marinated beef, salad, fried chicken, rice, pita bread, Kifta, and hummus. Every item was lovingly prepared and delicious. I enjoyed the company of everyone at my table and was beyond pleased with being a small part of the event and learning a bit more about Ramadan as a month and Iftar as a celebration.
My only complaint about the entire event is the fact that I could not stay longer into the evening to learn more from the many truly remarkable individuals and to experience more of the beautiful expression of their faith. In a time when tragedy is around every corner, more events like this are needed, and they should be embraced by Champaign-Urbana as a community.
In the end, community is what unites us all. That isn’t just a lesson learned from Thursday’s celebration; it’s a lesson for life.
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Photos by Sam Logan.