Breaking a Fast with Fellowship

"Islam is our religion. Followers are Muslims," said Nadeem Siddiqi to a crowd of visitors gathered for the Muslim Community of Western Suburbs (MCWS) mosque’s first Ramadan dinner.

Organized by the MCWS outreach committee, “Ramadan: Food To My Soul” attracted over 50 guests on Wednesday to the mosque for a chance to learn about Islam and celebrate iftar, or the breaking of fast, together.

The dinner brought together a diverse gathering from the community with young and old, black and white, and neighbors and public officials.

Siddiqi, Canton resident and Muslim American Society-Youth Detroit worker, spoke over an intimate setting of dim lights and rows of long tables set for the meal, about the basics of Islam.

He said Muslims believe God sent prophets to different nations throughout time, including Adam, Noah, Moses and Jesus. He said Muslims believe the last and final prophet is Muhammad.

"We all carry the same message," Siddiqi said about the different nations throughout history. "Rules and regulations may have changed over time, or what is known as shari’ah, which is heard a lot in the media these days."

He said shari’ah, or rules and regulations to live by, became fixed with the final prophet. He also talked about the changing time since the era of the Prophet Muhammad and how scholars since then have developed different interpretations for their times.

Siddiqi explained the five pillars of Islam: testifying that there is no deity but God and Muhammad is the final prophet; praying five times a day; charitable giving; performing the pilgrimage to Mecca; and fasting during the month of Ramadan.

"Fasting is not something unique to Muslims," he said. "And the concept of self-discipline exists in other faiths as well."

Siddiqi also talked about the spiritual side of fasting. He said Muslims are not only supposed to fast from food, drink and marital relations but also fast with the hands, the eyes and the tongue.

"That is how you attain God consciousness," he said. "The ultimate goal is to get closer to God. And people do that through different means. Some give more charity, some pray more and some read more Qur’an."

With that, the call to prayer sounded over the speaker system at 8:33 p.m. on the dot and dates were passed around for everyone to break their fasts. Guests were invited to load their plates with food from Indian, Arab and Chinese cuisines or to head upstairs to see how prayers are performed.

"It was the first time I’ve ever seen them praying," said Pat Landorf, 72, of Canton, while waiting in line for food. "I came just to learn. To find out what this was about."

She said she did not know that Muslims believed in Muhammad as the last prophet and acknowledged other prophets as well.

"I think it tears down barriers," she said about having events like Wednesday's dinner.

Among those who attended the program were Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Board of Education President John Jackson and board secretary Adrienne Davis.

"This was so much more than I expected it to be. I learned so much tonight just by being here," said Jackson.

He said he had never heard of the five pillars before and couldn’t believe how welcomed he was.

"I enjoyed it," said Davis, also attending an iftar for the first time. "Breaking bread and fellowship has a common thread for me."

Two Canton residents, Syed Karamatullah, 31, and Zafar Razzaqui, 32, organized "Ramadan: Food To My Soul."

"I think it was phenomenal," said Razzaqui, who was on the program committee. "We had great support and a fantastic response."

He said the outreach committee wanted to give visitors to the mosque a comfortable space to interact with the Muslim community.

Karamatullah, head of the MCWS outreach committee, said Ramadan is a perfect time for another outreach event.

"This is an invitation-action based group," he said. "Faith is a by-product of our efforts."

Razzaqui said other events like this are possible for the future. He said the committee was even asked to create a similar event with the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools.

"We’re starting to leave our footprint as Muslims in the broader community," he said.

As the event came to a wrap before 10 p.m., guests hugged each other and thanked organizers for the warm meal and a good time.

"I was kind of worried at first," said Jessica Pezzopane, 20, of Garden City. "But everyone was so friendly. And I liked trying the new foods."

To others who might be apprehensive about visiting a mosque, Pezzopane said, "I would tell them to go with an open mind."

Learn more about Ramadan and Islam by emailing Syed Karamatullah of the MCWS outreach committee at syed.karamatullah@gmail.com.