(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 3/13/2024) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations Oklahoma Chapter (CAIR-OK) will hold its Tenth Annual Ramadan Iftar with Elected Leaders this Friday, March 15, at 7 p.m. at Coles Garden in Oklahoma City.
SEE: 2024 Ramadan Iftar with our Elected Leaders
SEE: Register for the 2024 Ramadan Iftar
SEE: Oklahoma City Area Ramadan Activities Will Include Community Outreach and Education
This year’s Iftar will feature a keynote speech by State Senator Zaynab Mohamed of Minnesota, as well as remarks from Oklahoma City County Commissioner Carrie Blumert.
“The annual Ramadan Iftar with our elected leaders is a time for us to share the blessed month of Ramadan with our community and engage with those who represent us at all levels of government,” said Executive Director Adam Soltani. “In a time of unprecedented Islamophobia and global conflict, it is increasingly important for the Muslim community to remain civically engaged as a way of combating hateful rhetoric and ensuring our elected leaders hear our concerns.”
“Every year, this event is a special night for our community and for the elected officials who take time to show up and spend time with their constituents. However, with so much pain and grief impacting our community, it is more important than ever to connect with elected officials, interfaith leaders, and more,” said CAIR-OK Advocacy Coordinator Nicole Baumann. “With so many people being impacted by policies at home and abroad, nights such as these are crucial for people to meet their neighbor and take a moment to listen and reflect.”
Ramadan (rahm-a-DAHN) is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other sensual pleasures from the break of dawn until sunset. The fast is performed in order to increase self-discipline, self-restraint, and generosity, and the community is encouraged to increase their volunteerism, charity, and prayer. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, along with the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca. An Iftar (IF-tar) is the meal eaten to break the fast at the end of each day, after sundown.
The end of Ramadan is marked by communal prayers, and a celebration called “Eid ul-Fitr” (EED ull-FITTr), or Feast of the Fast-breaking, on or about April 10th.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: Natasha Saya, CAIR-OK Community Outreach Director, nsaya@cair.com, 405-887-8354; Adam Soltani, CAIR-OK Executive Director, asoltani@cair.com, 405-248-5853
