Muslim members of Congress Reps. Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Andre Carson host the first ever congressional iftar.
Monday evening at the US Capitol building saw an extraordinary celebration that marked the fasting and feasting associated with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Muslim Advocates, a national civil rights organization, along with Reps. Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Andre Carson, hosted an iftar — a post sunset meal eaten by Muslims to break their fast .
The occasion was historic also because it was the first time that an iftar was hosted by the members of Congress and attended by the congressional leadership. The event was joined by leaders of both chambers of Congress.
The iftar included remarks from House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, Senate Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Among the more than 100 attendees were Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Mayor Sadaf Jaffer of the Montgomery Township in New Jersey.
“We are honored to host the first-ever iftar with Muslim members of Congress and congressional leadership,” said Farhana Khera, executive director of Muslim Advocates.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was scheduled to attend but could not. “The Holy Month of Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection and joy, when millions of Muslim families gather with friends and neighbors to reaffirm their faith and celebrate their proud traditions,” she said in a statement. “As we come together to give thanks for the blessing of this sacred season, we celebrate the rich traditions and remarkable contributions that Muslim Americans bring to our communities, making America more American.”
The event was significant in many ways, especially in the backdrop of the anti-Muslin sentiment and rhetoric since President Donald Trump launched his campaign in 2015.
“Ramadan is a time for not only spiritual renewal, but a time to open doors to friends, neighbors and anyone who wants to commune and reflect,” said Khera. “This evening, at a time of unprecedented levels of anti-Muslim bigotry and hate crimes, together we showed that we will not be intimidated or cowed by those who wish to demonize and marginalize American Muslims. We will express our faith, our dignity and our commitment to caring for each other and our nation.”