On Friday, August 5, 2011, during the first week of the Month of Ramadan, the FORUM by The Pen and Inkpot Foundation called, 'Taste of Ramadan', a third glimpse, convened.
What makes it unique? It is for non Muslims and Muslims from the Indiana community; it is an uncatered dinner; and the three speakers are part of a civil engagement from our community's. This event reminded each of us of the beauty of, 'what is Ramadan', its purpose and potent value in society, while reminding that the diversity of your food, comes the diversity of 'we' the people. It was an overflowing gathering of 260 people, with an astounding multicultural home cooked dinner, three vibrant and thought provoking speakers, with a unique Islamic Art, a letter by our Mayor, and an interfaith gathering with civic engagement. The forum, each year, reflects a grassroots event which is part of our society, with speakers and guests, who give their time to learn from each other.
Mr. Fady Qaddoura: Public Policy Coordinator for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Indianapolis;
Pastor Tom Hansen: Head Pastor of Trinity Episcopal Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Dr. Ahmed Mustafa: Associate Professor of Biology, IPFW. The speakers reminded us of serving, seeing love around us and in each of us, prophetic healing, the importance of self reflection and most importantly remembering to build one 'self', which is the ultimate cure for a sick society, which we often forget-and not just refraining from food, drink and other activity for one month.
This year The Pen and Inkpot Foundation awarded its Pi Scholarship to Mr. AbdiWahab Moburuk-this years recipient of the Pi Scholarship, called the Dr. Aijaz and Shahnaz Mirza Pi Scholarship
It's purpose is to give a glimpse and a sound
to share in an 'Iftar (fast breaking) with non-Muslims and Muslims and
see the beauty and purpose of Ramadan and enjoy a wonderful
multicultural dinner and to build bridges through the Muslims'
celebrated month called Ramadan (month of fasting) amongst community's,
as there are a significant number of Muslim children in our school
system and Muslim adults in our communities, Universities and
professions. Then reflect on the spiritual concept of fasting common to
all faiths. This event reflects the Multi-cultural vitality
of Fort Wayne, as the diversity of our culture, of our palette and of
our race as it is reflected in the flavorful taste of our foods.
We
all are essentially the ‘Taste of Ramadan’ reflecting each of our
unique tonal attributes. And… it is through the
architecture and tastes of our foods we take a glimpse tonight into the
diversity of ourselves and our individual faiths to see our
similarities not our differences.
So, what is this
Ramadan? Well Ramadan is a month of fasting for Muslims. There are
basically five pillars in Islam: Shahhada (oneness of God), Salat
(prayer), Zakat (charity), Saum (fasting) and Hajj (the pilgrimage).
Today we are celebrating the fourth pillar, called Saum or fasting
which is the present month of which we share a taste called Ramadan.
And we will journey through a few perspectives, from sharing a view of
fasting by various speakers, which is common to all faiths and
philosophies. Essentially, Ramadan or the month of fasting is a
spiritual and physically intense 30 days of reflection, sharing,
giving, supplication and a self building.
The Pi Foundation thanks everyone for their participation, support and sponsorship.