Friday July 18, 2014
Alka Ahuja and her husband, Rajiv, had driven by the Noor Islamic Cultural Center in Hilliard many times, often wondering what went on inside the walls of the massive structure.
This week, they found out.
The Hilliard couple, Hindus originally from India, attended the center’s Experiencing Ramadan event on Wednesday. The interfaith gathering introduced non-Muslims to Islam and Ramadan, a 30-day period of reflection during which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.
“We felt there was so much hunger and demand on people’s part to learn about religious diversity as well as cultural diversity,” said Imran Malik, chairman of the board of the American Islamic Waqf, which oversees the center. “The more we know about each other, the safer, more-secure communities we can build together.”
Participants in the event received a brief overview of Islam, toured the center and watched evening prayers. They then were treated to a daily fast-breaking meal, also called an iftar, dining on dates, meats, rice, hummus, salad and baklava.
Youngsters who attend the mosque offered their own perspectives, telling the guests some of the foods used to break the fast in areas such as Somalia, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia and Pakistan. The children spoke of family time, gathering at the mosque for late prayers, meals and fun, and waking before sunrise to eat.
One boy said the early meal is his favorite part of Ramadan, and his favorite food is scrambled eggs and pancakes.
“Thank God that IHOP’s open at 3 a.m.,” he quipped to laughter.
Among the guests was Collette Tucker of Dublin, who said she recently realized that she was taking her questions about Islam to her 11-year-old daughter, whose best friend is Muslim.
“I’d never experienced anything Muslim,” said Tucker, who attended with daughter Cameron and her 13-year-old son, Calvin. “I thought it was awesome. I wish I hadn’t waited so long.”
Malik said the center used to host a community meal annually but hadn’t in recent years because the dates of Ramadan are based on a lunar calendar and sunset times were late. The idea was reignited by the Safe Alliance of Interfaith Leaders, a group that seeks to increase cross-faith understanding in the Hilliard and Dublin areas.
More than 300 people responded to the invitation from Noor, where leaders are considering other ways to host interfaith gatherings throughout the year.
Christina Butler, president of the Interfaith Association of Central Ohio, said such events foster understanding.
“They bring a diverse group of people together for an evening of talking and sharing and certainly eating,” she said. “So it’s just another time to be with each other as human beings in a joyful atmosphere of celebration and sharing and learning about one another.”
Much like periods of fasting in Christian and Jewish traditions, Ramadan allows participants to experience how the needy might feel when they must live without food, water, shelter and clothing, Malik said. The observance ends with the Eid al-Fitr holiday, expected this year at sundown on July 28.
“The idea is you practice this on your own self for 30 days in a state of worship and individual form, and then take it to the next level and build the outreach, build the servicing of the community,” he said. “That is the actual essence of Ramadan.”
The Ahujas said they were intrigued enough by the event that they will consider returning to the center for an Islam 101 course.
“I didn’t know anything,” said Mrs. Ahuja, who was invited by a Muslim friend. “I think people need to know more about each other’s religions.”