An Interfaith Iftaar dinner took place Saturday night in southeast Calgary at the Hussaini Association of Calgary.
The event brought Calgary’s Muslim community together with anyone,of any faith -- or even no faith -- who wished to attend.
“We invite everybody from different faiths, even no faith such as media –anybody is welcome to join us," said Hossaini Association of Calgary trustee Riyaz Khawaja.
“It’s just to show guests unity and the brotherhood to know we stand together against any racism or hate, any kind of terrorism and violence – so it’s actually just a meet-and-greet and we would like to share a meal with our faith/no faith brothers so everybody is welcome here."
Ramadan ends
This weekend marks the final few days of Ramadan, which is one of the five pillars of Islam where Muslims fast from dawn to sunset in order to focus on spiritual growth, readings from the Quran, prayer and charitable activities.
Khawaja said the entire community is welcome to any Ramadan dinner but the Interfaith Iftaar Dinner is an opportunity for people from all backgrounds to come together, eat and have a conversation about faith, compassion and mutual respect.
He said Interfaith events encourage dialogue and help to counter misinformation.
“When we see and meet each other, there are so many confusions and misconceptions and (mis)information spreading around, so (at Interfaith dinners), people can ask questions to the Imam – anybody can ask questions – ask and they will get the answers.
“We have ladies and gents and it’s open for all ages,” he said.
Those sentiments were echoed by Abbas Momin, the President of Hussaini Association of Calgary
“When we meet, we get to know each other,” Momin said. “We get to know their faith, we get to know their traditions.
“It’s the encompassing of all human existence,” he added.
“For Canadians, everything is all about people from all across the world. We share everything – and have immigrants from all across the world, of all different faiths, and we have learned to live together – co-existence with mutual understanding and peace and prosperity of every one of us.
“So this is another opportunity to meet with others and know them as well as we know each other,” Momin added.
Sunday is Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.
With files from CTV’s Charles Lefebrve and Darren Wright
