Nickel Rivera (left) and Violeta Vasquez (center) both from 5 Elements Youth Program, demonstrate recently in support of adding the Muslim holiday Eid al-Fitr to San Francisco’s academic calendar. Recognition for one minority brings us one step closer to a collective recognition of all.
Craig Lee/The Examiner
This Friday, San Francisco’s Muslim community will come together with civic leaders at City Hall for a Community Iftar to break bread on the ninth day of Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam for 2 billion Muslims worldwide.
After hearing from elected officials, the adhan (call to prayer) will summon Muslim guests to pray in community under the majestic dome and then gather around tables with friends, family and non-Muslim special guests to experience the breaking of the fast. With the rise in hate crimes and discrimination across the nation, this is a special time to share a delicious meal with our diverse community partners and showcase our beautiful Muslim community’s solidarity, contributions and impact.
Many know Ramadan as a time for fasting (yes, not even water!) and prayers. But this blessed month is also significant because it marks a time of sincere reflection, self examination and generosity. Ramadan is about spiritual growth. We fast to increase our empathy and open our hearts to the suffering of others. It is a touchstone reminding us of our many blessings, and compelling us to seek out opportunities that enable us to be of service and give back, similar to the Christian virtue of charity or the Jewish mitzvot of tzedakah. During this time, we are reminded of how fortunate we are to live in San Francisco where beauty spans the horizon and a universal love for diversity is cherished by all, witnessed on each face and seen on every street corner.
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