Dinners in Ramadan tent welcome all faiths in Bethlehem

(Express-Times File Photo | Lisa Massey)
(Express-Times File Photo | Lisa Massey)


Date posted: August 3, 2013

Sienna Mae Heath

A tent reminiscent of late nights in Turkey lit up Bethlehem’s Payrow Plaza, welcoming everyone to break the Ramadan fast.

The second annual Ramadan Tent Dinner in the city observed the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

Hosted by the Lehigh Dialogue Center, Turkish Cultural Center of Pennsylvania and Bethlehem, the event, which was free and open to the public, featured live music by the New Brunswick, N.J.-based band Wind of Anatolia on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Wednesday night, host Kent Mehmet Ozman and Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan welcomed more than 150 people with remarks. After a call to prayer, Istanbul Grill on Main Street served dinner, inspiring the global dialogue the center strives for in the greater Lehigh Valley.

“We’re open and welcome to everybody. We are all human beings,” said Omer Alici, president of Lehigh Dialogue Center. “We believe in the same God but in different ways.”

In Turkey, most people work late hours so there is little time to go home to break the fast. Tents are set up in the city centers so that people can do so as a community.

The event in Bethlehem served a similar purpose, the mayor said while standing 50 feet from where the Christmas tree and Menorah candles light up the Christmas City every December.

“Bethlehem is a melting pot,” Callahan said. “This event is an opportunity for us to learn more about each other as individuals. This is how we grow.”

Ozman was born to Turkish parents in Ohio, absorbing his Islamic faith there. He recognizes fasting, prayers and generosity as commonalities in all religions.

“I wore a jacket and tie because I figured if the Arabs can celebrate in all that desert heat, then I better do the same for them,” Ozman said.

As the sun set, traditional Turkish cuisine was served. Muslims refer to the evening meals during Ramadan as Iftar dinners, or the breaking of the fast.

Red lentil soup is a light start to a generous meal, said Sunay Yerdelenli, of Easton, who moved from Turkey to New Jersey in 1995.

RAMADAN PRIMER

Muslims around the world fast from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan, according to leaflets handed out by the Lehigh Dialogue Center. This year, Ramadan began the evening of July 8 and will end the evening of Aug. 6.

Ramadan is a holy month to Muslims, who believe that during this time the holy book Quran was sent down from heaven to lead people to salvation.

lehigh-ramadan-tent-2

Source: Lehigh Valley , July 21, 2013


Related News

When I met a Gandhian ‘Jihadi’ in America

What explains Gulen’s deep faith in peace, nonviolence, human dignity and inter-faith tolerance and dialogue as the cornerstones of Islam? For answer, we have to know something about the ‘Guru’ who influenced him – Bediuzzaman Said Nursi (1878-1960), one of the greatest Islamic theologians of the last century.

What’s Friendship Got to Do With [Mr. Gulen’s] Extradition?

On a visit to Washington to lobby for Gülen’s extradition, Nationalist Action party parliamentarian Kamil Aydin expressed his belief that “America is going to refuse losing Turkey as a good partnership in the region.” But even if Turkish politicians do not believe that America operates according to the rule of law, they should at least be aware that most Americans are proud to think that it does.

Clifton Mayor Anzaldi receives Diversity Award

The annual PII award dinners were established to publicly recognize the outstanding achievements of those who have distinguished themselves in their profession and service to communities in the Garden State. PII’s goal in presenting the awards is to advance the causes of peace, cross-cultural tolerance, interfaith dialogue and human dignity.

US Congress members reaffirm unbreakable bonds with Turks

Dozens of members of the United States Congress have reaffirmed strong ties and growing friendship between Turks and Americans in an annual grand convention that also brought together businessmen and public figures. Organized by the Turkic American Alliance (TAA) and the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON), which represents six regional federations and over […]

Gülen not only my hero, also a model for other religions

“He is not only my hero for what he has done for the Muslim societies but also [offers] a model for all other religions,” said Dirk Ficca, executive director of the Chicago-based Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions.

Turkish American Society of Ohio Seeks to Foster Friendship and Understanding Between Cultures

In existence since 2010 and headquartered in Columbus, The Turkish American Society of Ohio’s mission is to introduce Turkish culture into American Society. Through their efforts in dialog and unique community services they also seek to promote friendship and understanding between cultures.

Latest News

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

University refuses admission to woman jailed over Gülen links

In Case You Missed It

As Turkey’s war on Gulen escalates, so does impact on Africa

Movie Selam actress sponsors orphanage in Sudan

If you do not stand against injustice

Turkey bans math textbooks due to questions including Gülen’s initials

Kimse Yok Mu repeatedly prevented from offering aid in Palestine

US high school students visit Turkey, give glowing reviews

Roundhouse Roundup: A Turkish Friendship Dinner

Copyright 2023 Hizmet News