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September 26, 2009
AMV hosts Eid-ul-Fitr dinner for San Francisco
Bay Area’s diverse community
By Adeel Iqbal
Old friends and new friends from all around the San Francisco Bay Area’s diverse communities came together for an Eid-ul-Fitr dinner celebration with American Muslim Voice this weekend.
"As always, you have fed my spirit even as you have fed (overfed?) my body," wrote Derrick Kikuchi of Daly City 's Reach and Teach in the guestbook that floated around the room. "It was wonderful learning about the good works of our good brothers and sisters across the bay. I also loved our lovely group sharing about religious practice."
The gathering on September 26, 2009, at the home of AMV Founding Executive Director Samina Sundas in Palo Alto, featured a plethora of South Asian treats and delicious Kugle, a special Jewish cuisine. The dinner is one of many hosted by AMV in hopes of breaking barriers and building understanding and connections through the sharing of bread.
This was the first Eid celebration for most of the guests. After a brief prayer requesting for these blessed gatherings to continue, guests enjoyed breaking bread and sharing with one another about their culture, faith and traditions.
AMV representatives took a short moment to explain the significance of Ramadan and Eid, as well as some of the customs observed during these holy days. Naturally, friends made connections with their own faiths and cultures, and began to discuss areas of peace and social action.
"It is deeply striking how a discussion of religious practices ripples into issues of Human Dignity & Social Justice," wrote Neil Penn of Tikkun.
In addition to wonderful and warm new friends from the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), with whom AMV works in partnership to support the rights of immigrants, the home also welcomed familiar faces.
"I have enjoyed many such meals in her home and have made new friends," said John Beverley Butcher, priest of San Francisco 's St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, who has long worked with AMV. "Out of these gatherings we have worked together on common concerns such as immigration issues. We go together to meet with our Representative in Congress, have press conferences to high light issues pertaining to immigration, torture, nuclear arms, wars and other concerted justice and peace actions. It all begins with friendship and Samina’s delicious food that she prepares with great love and care. She knows that 'If you feed them they will come!'”
The spirit of continuing these gatherings was best summarized in the note of Nunu Kidane, coordinator of the Priority Africa Network and member of the BAJI Steering Committee: "Thanks so much for the wonderful food, conversation and welcome to your home. I have to welcome you to my/our home one day."
Adeel Iqbal is AMV Board Member. You could reach him at ariqbal@gmail.com
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