Massachusetts Muslims invite public to iftar meal

The Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts will reach out to the community during Ramadan.

The Islamic Society is inviting people to share the breaking of the fast with them, in a meal called �iftar�, at sunset every Saturday during Ramadan at the Islamic Centre, 377 Amostown Road.

The Islamic Society also calls the iftar, �Taste of Islam” parties, since the foods brought have flavors from all over the world.

A special interfaith iftar Party is due on Oct. 20.

At least 1 billion Muslims around the world observe the Holy month of Ramadan, which started October 5, by fasting from sunrise to sunset every day.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, one of the largest Muslim advocacy groups in the U.S., launched an initiative: “Sharing Ramadan”, which aims at helping Muslim communities organize iftar in their areas.

But the Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts doesn�t need help. It has long had a tradition of welcoming Muslims and non-Muslims to share the Ramadan meals.

“It started a long time ago, before I came to this community,” said Imam Wissam Abdul Baki, spiritual leader of the Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts.

More than 100 visitors often attend the interfaith iftar each year, he said. Members of the society themselves are about 500 people, who come from all over Western Massachusetts and parts of Connecticut.

“That’s why we are now in the process of building a bigger place,” Baki said of the construction that is planned for the Islamic Society building.

Source: The Republican