Ramadan is a month-long period of fasting, meditation, prayer and good deeds. From the evening of April 12 or April 13 to the evening of May 11, 2021 Muslims will fast during the daylight hours and neither eat nor drink and will focus on doing good deeds.

“During that time, you develop a sense of hunger and thirst. You’re still working in the daytime and are surrounded by everyone else who is eating and drinking. We begin to develop not just a sense of discipline but a sense of empathy for those who might be hungry otherwise,” said Jihad Turk, president of Bayan Claremont, the first graduate theology school for Islam, in a former interview with CVW.

Each night, the faithful come together for the ifthar, or the evening meal, to break the fast. This is usually done together with neighbors, friends and family. You are always either inviting someone over or being invited over, Turk said. And it is in this spirit that the Islamic Congregation has held its annual interfaith ifthar for so many years. In the past there was partnering with local churches, including St. George’s Episcopal and La Cañada Presbyterian Church in La Cañada and All Saints Church in Pasadena, its doors opened to a potluck and all interested parties were invited to stand with them in evening prayer. Though the pandemic has altered celebrating with others, families will still come together.

“For us it’s obviously the chance to stand in solidarity with our Muslim neighbors but also I love the homey feeling of this place,” said Randy Heyn-Lamb from Pasadena in a previous interview with CVW. Heyn-Lamb was a member of All Saints Church who attended the annual ifthar for years. “There are few places in this area that I feel more welcome than when I’m here. It’s just a big family.”