Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA Hosts Interfaith Iftars in 35 U.S. Cities

This Ramadan, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA hosted a nationwide initiative that opened its mosques in 35 U.S. cities to host Interfaith Iftars, attracting nearly 1,000 guests and visitors to the first in-person event in over two years.

A Unique Opportunity

With the rare convergence of Ramadan, Easter, and Passover, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA understood this year to be an opportunity to bring together people from various faiths, all focusing on intensifying prayers during their holy season. Thus, during this season of spirituality, the Ramadan Interfaith Iftars became a collaboration of faith leaders from many backgrounds to bring their membership together in reflection.

Community Engagement

Titled “Justice Through Compassion,” the Interfaith Iftars featured special guest speakers from the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, local civic and law enforcement leaders, as well as faith leaders from different communities.

Each speaker spoke about the need to instill justice for all people through increased compassion – especially for those for whom justice is not being protected. In the wake of increased bitterness in the U.S. and abroad, as well as an escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine that places the world on the bring of a Third World War, these Interfaith dinners drew attention to the urgent need to secure justice for all through compassion.

Those in attendance remarked how moved they were at the call for compassion to be an action and not just an emotion. The Justice Through Compassion initiative drew media attention across print, radio, and television. Associated Press, ABC News, Deseret News, and many local TV stations covered the efforts, along with a featured story on NPR’s flagship program “All Things Considered.”

It is the hope and prayer of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community that this dialogue will continue in order to build on the movement for compassion and justice