Iftar October 2006: Breaking Bread Together

What is Iftar?

Iftar is an evening meal that breaks the daily fast during the month of Ramadan. Often, iftar dinners often are celebrated between Muslims and non-Muslims.


Afghanistan: Task Force Warrior Leaders Celebrates Iftar with Local Allies


On October 17, 2006, Key Task Force Warrior leaders celebrated an iftar dinner with Gelan District civil officials and police officials from the Ghazni Province in Afghanistan. They shared a traditional Muslim meal that included rice, mutton. eggplant, and pan bread. They also shared close conversation, including discussion on the purpose of Ramadan. Army Maj. Rafael Paredes, in attendance, has commented that, "We organized it because we wanted to share something with the people we're closest to. We want them to realize we're trying to understand their religion and culture; not change it. We also want to encourage our leaders and Soldiers to understand the people we're here to help."
To see photos visit:
Fort Drum News Release / Media Advisory
http://www.drum.army.mil/sites/installation/pao/news/photos.asp?id=2006/0610-35

Source: Fort Drum Public Affairs Office - Daily News http://www.drum.army.mil/sites/installation/pao/news/dailyNews.asp?id=2006/0610-35


State Department Honors Muslim Women on Iftaar

On October 18, 2006 the State Department hosted an iftar dinner in Washington to honor the contributions Muslim women have made to history. The dinner corresponded with Laylat al Qadr (meaning "Night of Decree" or "Night or Measures"), is the holiest night of Ramadan marking two important revelations, the first in which Muhammed received the first verses of the Koran the second revelation when Muhammed received the Koran in its entirety.
Remarks were made by both Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, R. Nicholas Burns and by Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Karen Hughes.

Under Secretary Burns spoke about the importance of tolerance and peace, "We thank the Muslim community in our country for teaching us about the great religion of Islam. We still have much to learn. But it is true that some of the most powerful thinkers in the past century: Mahatma Gandhi; Martin Luther King Jr.; the Agha Khan; the Dali Lama, very different people but they shared one critical trait in common. Their actions were strongly rooted in their own religious beliefs, but they learned and grew from the teachings of other religions and may it be so in our own country. It's learning about each other and standing up for each other, by being voices of tolerance and understanding, it's then that we'll overcome the challenges of extremism and of those who seek to distort and exploit religion, any religion, for their own particular design. We don't believe the extremists will succeed, because we know that there is nothing irreconcilable between Islam and America. We know that as we sit together tonight from our different backgrounds we share a common faith and that faith is in the future. And the future must be built on tolerance and on peace." (Remarks at The Annual State Department Iftaar Dinner).

Under Secretary Hughes acknowledged the examples of leadership Muslim women have set, past and present including Khadija, the Prophet Muhammad's wife, a successful businesswoman, and using examples from modern Muslim women who working hard to make a tremendous difference in our world. Under Secretary Hughes also encouraged people to volunteer for the "new citizen dialogue program" where Muslim Americans reach out to Islamic communities across the world.


Sources:

Remarks at The Annual State Department Iftaar Dinner

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/74762.htm

State Department Iftar Honors Women Throughout Muslim History
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=October&x=20061019153430ndyblehs0.475857