A Virtual Iftar

For the past four years, the Dialogue Institute invited members and supporters of the Interfaith Hunger Coalition to share an Iftar meal. This is the traditional meal that Muslims around the world consume at the end of a day of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. We were treated in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 to great food, interfaith prayers and background on the purpose and history of Ramadan.

Our first Iftar gathering in 2016

Because of social distancing, we are unable to gather this year with Necip and Rabia Orhan and the Turkish community in Albuquerque. This year, Ramadan runs for April 23 to May 24.

A Series of Interesting Speakers
As a substitute, the Dialogue Institute and Turkish Raindrop House in Albquerque has joined with chapters in other cities to put together a fabulous program, broadcast live on YouTube, featuring interesting speakers from Kansas City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Oklahoma City and Cleveland. Featured presenters include Imam Sulaiman Z Salaam, a community leader and religious teacher in the Islamic faith; Scott C. Alexander, Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago; Dr. Imam Imad Enchassi, founder, imam and president of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City; and Dr. Sophia Pandya is a professor and the Department Chair, at California State University at Long Beach.

Two of the programs have already taken place on Thursday, April 30 and Friday, May 1. But there are nine other opportunities: Sunday, May 3, Tuesday, May 5, Wednesday, May 6; Thursday, May 7  Tuesday, May 12, Wednesday, May 13 Friday, May 15,, Sunday, May 17, and Wednesday, May 20.

Each event will also include muslim families which will be sharing their experience about Ramadan. "These events are a great opportunity to discover the meaning of Ramadan and fasting by celebrating the breaking of the fast," said an e-mail sent out to supporters.

Food and Fasting
In past years, some of our members have shown solidarity the Albuquerque Turkish community by conducting our own fast and prayers in solidarity with those less fortunate. The meal would come afterwards.

In lieu of the generous meal provided by the Dialogue Institute and Turkish Raindrop House, there are alternatives this year. On the day you watch one of these programs on YouTube, you  can order food from Anatolia Turkish Mediterranean Restaurant, which offers free delivery on orders of $15 or more.

Or you can make your own Iftar meals. Here are Turkish Recipes and Ramadan Recipes from other countries.