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Interfaith Iftar Event Focuses on What People Have in Common

More than 500 people joined an Interfaith Iftar discussion and meal Sunday during Ramadan at the Bait-ur-Rahman Mosque in Silver Spring.

Two Montgomery County councilmembers, one delegate and several clergy members spoke during the event that focused on getting along with one another and making the word more peaceful. The mosque is a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, which is an Islamic Messianic movement.

Mohammad Ahmad, outreach secretary, began the discussion explaining that the goal was “to talk about the things we have in common.” He spoke about “shared values” of peace, compassion and good will.

“We all want peace,” agreed Donald Kelly, retired pastor at Olive Branch Community Church in Sandy Spring.

“Here in Montgomery County, we must come together,” said Council President Kate Stewart, adding, “We share so much. It is important that we emphasize what we share.”

Council Vice President Will Jawando also addressed the attendees., noting, “This commitment to peace and justice has never been more important.”

Montgomery County is very diverse and inclusive. “That’s who Montgomery County is,” he said.

Maryland Delegate Lorig Charkoudian let everyone know that current state’s budget woes may make it harder to take care of those in need in Maryland, and said she appreciates mosque members who strive to take care of their people’s needs as well as their spirituality.

“It’s heartening for me to be with you tonight,” she said.

Also speaking to the crowd were Iman Azar Haneef, lead missionary, and Bakhshish Singh, director of the Sikh International Council in Washington, D.C.

The speeches and prayers were followed by an aromatic buffet dinner of chicken, beef, rice, chickpeas and salad. After fasting all day, many people piled the food high on their plates.

Several mosque members started preparing the dinner about six hours earlier.

The break fast meal is offered every day during the month of Ramadan. On weekends, about 500 people join together for dinner. About 250 people gather during the week, noted Amjad Chaudhry, outreach coordinator.

Sunday night, with so many guests attending, including county and police officials as well as representatives from multiple religions, the tally was much higher, but the food never ran out.

Six councilmembers attended. Besides Stewart and Jawando, they were Councilmembers Kristen Mink, Dawn Luedtke, Laurie-Anne Sayles and Sidney Katz.

“You literally have a voting quorum of the county council,” Jawando pointed out.

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