About one hundred men, women and children gathered at the Bloomington-Normal Islamic Center in Bloomington, Illinois, Saturday for an Iftar (fast-breaking) dinner, according to Tariq Gilani, a Center board member.
In some Muslim countries where the pace of life is slower, almost every night of Ramadan might be a celebration. But in the United States, the families only find the time to gather once a week on Saturdays during Ramadan.
"The Saturday Iftar dinners are a wonderful way of getting together and visiting with each other. It is not mandatory to get together, but it is desirable," Gilani explained.
Breaking of Fast Followed by Prayer
As soon as the sun had set, the group gathered around plastic tablecloths in the prayer rooms. Plates of melon pieces, chick pea salad, the traditional dates and fruit juices provided quick energy and sustenance to those who had fasted all day to sustain them until dinner time.
After the quick refreshment, it was time for evening prayer. The adults gathered in the prayer halls in tightly packed rows facing Mecca and performed the ritual gestures while saying the prayers to themselves. Several rakats or rounds of prayer were performed. The children learn ritual prayer by imitating their parents and in classes.
The Importance of Hospitality
Families take turns hosting the Iftar dinners. Husband and wife Sohail Mahmood and Umbreen Sohail of Pakistan were among the hosts for Saturday's dinner. "Hospitality has always been the hallmark not just of Arabs but throughout the Muslim world," said Tilani.
"Hospitality is one of the main tenets of our religion," Mahmood added. Sohail and Umbreen provided the food for the large group along with others from the community.
Sumptuous Dinner
Most of the families of the Bloomington-Normal Islamic Center have roots in India or Pakistan and Saturday night's dinner reflected those cultures. The hosts served two rice dishes, chicken curry, chicken karma, kibbe along with naan (pocket bread). The food was spicy, abundant and highly seasoned. Traditional desserts and sweet tea with evaporated milk followed.
Festival to Follow Ramadan
Eid al-Fitr, one of the two main annual Muslim celebrations marks the end of Ramadan and brings this holiest of months to a joyous conclusion. The Eid lasts three days and begins this year on September 10.
The festival is marked by special worship services, charity, visits with family and friends and a special dinner. The Bloomington-Normal Islamic Center is holding an Eid dinner at the Lexington community center.
Sources:
Tariq Gilani, telephone interview, September 2010.
Sohail Mahmood and Umbreen Sohail, sit-down interview, September 2010.
Rothwell Polk - Rothwell C. Polk, Jr. is a sixty-one-year-old living in Englewood, Colorado.. His interests include independent living, community and ...
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