Interfaith Stories: Moses in Islamic & Jewish Tradition | Rabbi Larry Milder & Imam Sundiatha Rashid
Channel: Muslim Community Center - MCC East Bay
Date: 2023-04-03

At this Iftar dinner experience as we observe the holy month of Ramadan and help create a better society by learning about the theme "Stories of Moses in the Islamic and Jewish Tradition" with parables and prayers from Imam Sundiata Rashid, who is the leader of a Lighthouse community mosque in Oakland, and Rabbi Larry Milder, who is Rabbi of Congregation Beth Emek in Pleasanton.

- More Imam Sundiata: http://mcceastbay.org/sundiata
- More Rabbi Larry Milder: http://mcceastbay.org/larry
- More MCC interfaith events: http://mcceastbay.org/interfaith
- MCC's interfaith advocacy efforts:
https://mcceastbay.org/interfaith-ethos
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Sundiata Al Rashid is Emir (leader) of the Lighthouse Mosque in Oakland, California.

This is the fifth community Iftar in the Tri-Valley.

- Here was 2017: "What Ramadan Means to Me:" https://youtu.be/tiJgEJT-DM8
- Here was 2018 "Why Faith Matters:" https://youtu.be/5J8rL9Hepog
- Here was 2019 "Loving Across the Difference": https://youtu.be/JzK7JexOxLw
- Here was the 2022: "Loving Across the Difference": https://youtu.be/Hb8_0IUwCBU

The Holy month of Ramadan
"Iftar" is the fast-breaking meal observed each evening at sundown during the holy month of Ramadan. The Interfaith Iftar Dinner allows the whole community to join our Muslim friends for an evening meal as they break their Ramadan fast.

This year, in 2023, the month of Ramadan is even more special because, for the second year, it overlaps with several religious holy days and traditions, including the celebrations of Passover, Easter, Vaisakhi, Mahavir Jayanti, and Theravada New Year. Muslims, Jews, Christians, Baha’is, Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists, and others will all be practicing their significant religious and cultural traditions around the same time. This overlapping of spring holy days will not happen again until 2054. This convergence is a significant opportunity to remind us of the interconnectedness of our communities, and it’s a chance to recommit to our highest ideals and our goals to build communities where everyone is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

From Islamic Networks Group (ING):

Ramadan Mubarak or “blessed Ramadan” to all observing the Islamic lunar month of fasting, which begins on March 23rd and lasts until April 20th. Muslims in the US and worldwide commemorate the month--in which Muslims believe the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad--through fasting, prayer, and charity, as well as communal gatherings with family, friends, and neighbors.

Educator and Workplace Resources for Ramadan

Muslims in the US and worldwide will be observing Ramadan, the Islamic lunar month of fasting, from March 23rd to April 20th. ING has a number of free resources for all types of educators about the month and its significance to Muslim Americans: