Date posted: August 6, 2014

SEZAI KALAYCI

Iftar dinner (breaking of fast), which was held in Columbia University, brought together numerous prominent members of the community. The event, organized by Peace Islands Institute (PII), New York Interfaith Center and Columbia University Religious Studies Department, hosted former US Vice President Al Gore’s daughter Karenna Gore and one of the Indonesia’s prominent religious figures, Imam Shamsi Ali.

Sarah Sayeed, director of New York Interfaith Dialog Center, hosted the program that started with breaking the fast as adhan (call to prayer) was chanted. Dean of School of Engineering Dr. Mary Boyce, expressed that they are honored to be hosting the iftar, and said: “We have hosted many different events in this auditorium, but this event is very different from the others. We are very happy to host and know you.”

“FASTING TAUGHT ME A LOT”

Karenna Gore, one of the organizers of the Iftar dinner event, said that she fasted first time in her life. She also said that she wanted to share the feelings of Muslims who are fasting. She added, “The primary reason I fasted is to experience how it feels to fast and how Muslims manage fasting.”

Gore, the founder of the civil society organization “Union Forum” said she is not sure if she can succeed fasting. Gore told “Frankly I’m so hungry”, and mentioned that quit drinking my everyday coffee cause me headache. She further continued: “Throughout the day I figured, fasting taught me eating and drinking at anytime is so precious”

Fasting also showed me how much we waste. There is always more food than we can eat around us. This abundance and waste reminded me, throughout the day, those people who can not find anything to eat suffer from hunger. All these were very valuable for me to learn and feel. ”

Disclaimer: The original article is in Turkish. Slight deviations from the original meaning may have occurred due to the difficulties in translating phrases and idioms. PII volunteers translated the article.

Source: Zaman Amerika , July 18, 2014

Tags: Dialogue | North America | USA |