Each year, for nearly 30 days, Muslims worldwide observe the holy month of Ramadan. During this sacred time, they fast from dawn until sunset, abstaining from food and drink as an act of worship and devotion. For many, Ramadan is a time to strengthen their spiritual connection with God (Allah), engage in self-reflection, and practice self-discipline.

On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR), the Office of Faith Based Initiatives and Interfaith Affairs, the Office of Muslim Engagement (OME), and Peace Islands Institute Pennsylvania (PII PA) co-sponsored the annual Interfaith Iftar.

This year’s theme, “Nostra Aetate” (In Our Time), highlights the Roman Catholic Church’s relationship with non-Christian religions, fostering dialogue and understanding across faiths.

Amid the ongoing Palestine-Israeli conflict, PCHR Acting Executive Director Randy Duque, OME Executive Director Imam Quaiser Abdullah, and PII PA Executive Director Muhammed Said Selmanlar have worked tirelessly to bring religious leaders together. Their goal is to spark meaningful dialogue and encourage a sense of community in the face of global and local challenges.

We spoke with these leaders to explore the significance of the Interfaith Iftar and discuss how to build unity during a time when immigrant and non-Christian communities face increased national scrutiny and attacks.

What is the main goal of this interfaith Iftar?

Selmanlar: The main goal of this Interfaith Iftar is to bring together individuals from diverse faiths and backgrounds to foster mutual understanding, empathy, and connection. In these difficult times that the world faces, interfaith dialogue is crucial to keeping our community together and united. Gathering in the spirit of Ramadan — a time of reflection and generosity in Islam — provides an opportunity to find common ground, engage in meaningful dialogue, and strengthen interfaith relationships. Through sharing a meal, participants embrace the values of respect and unity, reinforcing the bonds that connect us all.

How do you envision fostering meaningful connections between attendees of different faiths?

Duque: While we have a number of guests speaking and faith leaders offering prayers in the program, we also included a facilitated dialogue activity in which we provided discussion questions at each table as part of the evening’s agenda for everyone that encourages people to share personal stories around faith, fasting, and traditions, as well as, discuss ways they can continue to promote intercultural exchange.

Abdullah: By just creating space where they can interact. Additionally, the theme of the event is centered on Nostra Aetate, which is a Catholic centered document that reiterates the importance of working together. By centering the theme on the tradition of another religion (Catholicism) while upholding the significance of Islam, it creates other points of connection.

What message would you like non-Muslim guests to take away from this experience?

Duque: I hope that those who have never attended an iftar before gain a better understanding and appreciation of the Muslim faith.  For those non-Muslims who have engaged in interfaith activities before, I hope that this experience would encourage them to work on ways to further interfaith relations in their own lives and communities.

Selmanlar: Hopefully, this Iftar will be a reminder that, despite our differences, we are all part of the same human family, and there’s always more that unites us than divides us.

Abdullah: I do not know if it is a message per se. American Psychologist Gordon Allport discussed the nature of prejudice in his work in 1954. One of the things that emerged is the idea that if we are in contact with each other, then we can reduce prejudice. I am not particular about the message, but more about the experience.

How can we encourage participation from diverse religious and cultural communities?

Duque: Food! It brings people together!  Whether it’s inviting someone of a different faith or culture to a dinner or organizing a potluck to welcome new immigrant neighbors, having food as a central aspect of convening is an excellent way to find common bonds, create new understandings, and strengthen relationships.

Abdullah: If we are intentional about creating spaces and inviting folks in, then we can encourage participation. Additionally, if we attend other events hosted by others, then they will attend this event. While this answer is less about how to encourage people to participate in this one event, it speaks to how to create sustainable, non-performative engagement.

What follow-up initiative programs will your office consider maintaining engagement after Ramadan?

Selmanlar: We will continue fostering interfaith dialogue and educational programs, organizing panel discussions, leadership forums, and youth engagement activities to promote mutual understanding and counter misconceptions about different faiths. We also seek to expand solidarity gatherings, encouraging participation in significant religious observances across traditions, including Passover, Christmas, and Diwali, as a means of reinforcing interfaith unity.

Abdullah: We have the Masjid +3 initiative, which is part of the Citywide Cleanup on April 5. We are encouraging masjids to clean beyond their areas and partner with neighboring institutions. Our collective interfaith work to create change is important.

What steps can we take to build stronger interfaith relationships beyond Ramadan?

Selmanlar: 1) Hold periodic gatherings, such as interfaith dialogues, discussions, or community events that create a platform for people of different faiths to share experiences, beliefs, and values. These events could be focused on topics of common concern, such as social justice, peace-building, or addressing shared community challenges. 2) Facilitate a space where interfaith leaders can collaborate on community issues, give joint sermons or talks, and set examples of positive interfaith relationships. This leadership will trickle down to their communities.

What misconceptions about Ramadan or fasting can be addressed?

Duque: I think one of the most common misconceptions is that one only fasts from food and fails to realize that one also refrains from even drinking water from sunrise to sunset.  Furthermore, it’s not just fasting from nourishment, but also certain behaviors that can lead to or draw from negative and self-serving thoughts and actions.  Like other faiths that practice fasting, it is ultimately a deliberate act of sacrifice, penance, reflection, and honoring of God or in this case, Allah.

Abdullah: 1) Eating around Muslims will not offend many of us. We appreciate the consideration, but making a fuss about it is not necessary. 2) Accidentally offering us food is not going to be detrimental. We will politely say “No.” 3) Many of us do not gorge on food at night or in the morning.

So, at 7:13 p.m., attendees picked up the dates placed before them, and together, Jews, Christians, and Muslims broke their fasts in unison. As some of the evening’s speakers noted, this year’s Ramadan coincides with Christianity’s Lent, a season of reflection and self-discipline. In that shared spirit of devotion and unity, the gathering transcended faith boundaries, offering a meaningful celebration of solidarity and the shared experience of the day’s fast.

Ramadan Mubarak.