Celebrating Ramadan in East Meadow and beyond

Islamic Center of Long Island hosts Interfaith Iftar

Posted Friday, June 23, 2017 5:39 pm

W.T. Clarke High School student Anusha Siddiqui, 14, answered Shanti Flot’s questions about Ramadan and Islam during the Islamic Center of Long Island’s Interfaith Iftar on June 14.

All photos: Stephany Reyes/Herald

Religious leaders from a variety of congregations gathered for a prayer prior to breaking the day’s Ramadan fast.

Dr. Isma Chaudhry, president of ICLI, spoke to the crowd during the 14th Annual Interfaith Iftar.

Attendees from several religious backgrounds grabbed plates full of salad, rice and meats during Iftar, the meal eaten by Muslims after sunset during Ramadan.

Afghani-style basmati rice served at the Interfaith Iftar. For recipe, see below.

Afghani-style basmati rice

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups basmati rice

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onions

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1/2 tablespoon cumin

1/2 tablespoon ground turmeric

2 cloves minced garlic

2-1/4 cups water

1-1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/3 cup dried raisins, pistachios or other fruit to your liking

Instructions:

-Place rice in medium bowl and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Using your hands, gently swish grains to release any excess starch.

-Carefully pour off water, leaving rice in bowl. Repeat four to five times, until water runs almost clear.

-Using a fine mesh strainer, drain water from rice. Place strainer over bowl and set aside.

-Melt butter in a pot over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook, stirring regularly, until softened but not browned, about 4 minutes. Add cumin, turmeric, and garlic to sautéed onions and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds longer.

-Add rice to pot, and cook, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes. Add water, salt and pepper to rice and return to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until all liquid is absorbed, 15-18 minutes.

-Off heat, remove lid, and sprinkle dried fruit over rice (do not mix in). Place lid loosely over pot and let stand 10 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork, then serve.

Source: www.onceuponachef.com and Islamic Center of Long Island

By Stephany Reyes

Although the sun was only two hours away from setting, the heat from the day lingered on the concrete patio of the Islamic Center of Long Island on June 14.

“I prayed for the weather to cooperate with us today,” Isma Chaudhry, president of ICLI, said. “Any day that a group of people come together in peace is a good day.”

A dozen tables with gold chairs filled half of the mosque’s patio, and contained people of different religious backgrounds from East Meadow, Salisbury, Westbury and beyond — all ready to celebrate ICLI’s annual Interfaith Iftar.

Ramadan, a holy month observed by Muslims, falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and commemorates the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad. This year, it began on May 26 and will end on June 24. In observance of the holiday, Muslims fast during the daylight hours, consuming no food or water until the sun sets.

For the past 14 years, ICLI — with members from East Meadow and Salisbury — has hosted an Interfaith Iftar — the meal that breaks the fast — open to all Long Islanders. Every year, religious leaders from several congregations deliver speeches. Chaudhry was first.

“‘Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption in the land, it is as if he had slain mankind entirely,’” Chaudhry read from the Quran. “‘And whoever saves one, it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.’ Today, misconceptions about our religion still exist — especially after recent incidents in England. Muslims are not affiliated with ISIS, and [ISIS does] not practice Islam.”

At last year’s Interfaith Iftar, Chaudhry condemned Omar Mateen — the 29-year-old who killed 49 people in June 2016 at an Orlando, Fla., gay nightclub in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history — after he claimed allegiance to the Islamic State. This year, she denounced the detonation of a bomb after a concert in Manchester, England, on May 22 that killed 22 people and injured dozens. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, according to its Twitter accounts.

“I would like to hold a minute of silence for the victims in Manchester, in London and in Syria who die at the hands of terrorism,” Chaudhry continued. “We will pray for peace and hope for the families and for the world.”

Rabbi Michael White, of Temple Sinai in Roslyn, and the Rev. Dyanne Pina, executive director of the Long Island Council of Churches — which provides services to the Nassau County Correctional Center in East Meadow and the Freeport Food Pantry — each gave speeches about their respective faiths, with a final message of unity.

As the sun began to set and the heat subsided, the evening prayer, or taraweeh, poured from the speakers. People filled the prayer room for several minutes and later stopped by the tables on the patio. To the average eye, a basket of dates and small water bottles on each table held no significance. But to Muslims celebrating Ramadan, the items allowed them to break their fast.

“Ramadan isn’t just about starving all day and then eating the entire night,” 14-year-old Anusha Siddiqui said. “Ramadan teaches all Muslims the significance of purity. When we don’t eat anything throughout the day, our bodies are free of toxins and impurities. We learn to value our surroundings, including food and water.”

Anusha, a freshman at W.T. Clarke High School, said that Ramadan is an important time for her and her relatives because attending ICLI during prayer times brings them closer to God. Her family attends many ICLI events, including the Interfaith Iftar. “I really like seeing people from different backgrounds and different religions come each year because it shows us that we are accepted and that we can be peaceful together.”

Siddiqui mentioned her delight that she could celebrate Eid-al-Adha — which translates to the “Festival of Sacrifice” and honors sacrifice through feast and prayer — with her family next year because the East Meadow Board of Education has adopted it as an official school holiday. “I won’t have to choose between school and my religion next year,” she said with a smile. “I will be able to do both!”

Siddiqui answered several questions from attendees about Ramadan, the Interfaith Iftar and the Quran. She handed out copies of the Quran and pamphlets filled with information about Muhammad, “The Final Prophet of God.”
“I love that I can be myself here,” she said. “When more and more people learn about the significance of Ramadan and learn more about my religion, it really brightens up my day.”

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