The “Taste of Ramadan” is an annual event held each year during Ramadan by the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut. This year the event was held at the West Hartford Town Hall on July 13, 2013 and was attended by 250 people - some coming from as far as New York to attend. The goal of this event is to create a comfortable space where individuals from diverse faiths can come together to get to know one another and have meaningful, respectful conversations. It is so vital to get to know one another at the human level. When this happens, misconceptions and stereotyping disappear!
Every year we invite representatives of the Abrahamic faiths to share their perspectives of fasting from their particular traditions. This year Rabbi Jim Rosen of Temple Beth El spoke from the Jewish perspective, Father Leonard of St. Patrick St. Anthony spoke from the Christian perspective and Muslim Chaplain Tricia Pethic who is the chaplain at Albion Correctional Facility spoke from the Muslim Perspective. The presentations were followed by tables conversations where the audience were encouraged to have meaningful conversations to share their own perspectives on food and fasting.
At 8:26pm the audience were invited to listen to the beautiful adhan recited by Sh. Farghali from the Islamic Association of Greater Hartford and break the fast with the traditional dates and water. After Maghrib dinner was served, “meaningful conversations” continued!
Here is a message we received from one attendee:
"I have to tell you that your “Taste of Ramadan” last night was absolutely wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed it, as did the two people I brought with me.
I also want to tell you again that the youth that sat at our table we extraordinary. They were so poised, knowledgeable, happy, and grounded spiritually it was amazing. I am a better person for having met them. For people so young to represent a faith so well is just amazing, especially in the world we now live in. They even suggested a place to start reading in the Qur’an.
The entire evening was lovely and enlightening. I am grateful to have had such a glimpse into your world and your beautiful traditions. I’m looking forward to next year already!"
Let's create more of these opportunities for meaningful conversations!
Every year we invite representatives of the Abrahamic faiths to share their perspectives of fasting from their particular traditions. This year Rabbi Jim Rosen of Temple Beth El spoke from the Jewish perspective, Father Leonard of St. Patrick St. Anthony spoke from the Christian perspective and Muslim Chaplain Tricia Pethic who is the chaplain at Albion Correctional Facility spoke from the Muslim Perspective. The presentations were followed by tables conversations where the audience were encouraged to have meaningful conversations to share their own perspectives on food and fasting.
At 8:26pm the audience were invited to listen to the beautiful adhan recited by Sh. Farghali from the Islamic Association of Greater Hartford and break the fast with the traditional dates and water. After Maghrib dinner was served, “meaningful conversations” continued!
Here is a message we received from one attendee:
"I have to tell you that your “Taste of Ramadan” last night was absolutely wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed it, as did the two people I brought with me.
I also want to tell you again that the youth that sat at our table we extraordinary. They were so poised, knowledgeable, happy, and grounded spiritually it was amazing. I am a better person for having met them. For people so young to represent a faith so well is just amazing, especially in the world we now live in. They even suggested a place to start reading in the Qur’an.
The entire evening was lovely and enlightening. I am grateful to have had such a glimpse into your world and your beautiful traditions. I’m looking forward to next year already!"
Let's create more of these opportunities for meaningful conversations!
Link to more photos : http://www.muslimcoalitionct.org/taste-of-ramadan.html
Thanks to all who attended!
Thanks to all who attended!