Dallas mayor hosts Iftar dinner to Muslim community

By Raja Zahid A Khanzada

DALLAS: Dallas mayor Mike Rawlings hosted an Iftar dinner at Dallas City Hall in honor of the Muslim community leadership.

The event featured also Mayor of Plano Harry LaRosiliere along with Imam Sphendim Nadzaku of Dallas Central Mosque and Imam Khalil Abdul Rashid of Islamic Association of Collin County, ISNA Frisco, IMM center Plano, Momin center Irving, Council of Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Agha Khan Foundation, PSNT, Madina Masjid, Texas Muslim Women Foundation, Muslim Women's Association, and others.

Mayor Rawlings, the first Dallas mayor to start hosting an Iftar since last year with the cooperation of prominent Muslim community leaders.

More than 200 community leaders and city officials from North Texas, including the Dallas mayor pro-tem and the mayor of Plano Texas, Azhar Azaiz president of the Society of North America ISA , CAIR DFW President Amina Rab, Mike Ghouse, Ghulam Jhangda, Raja Zahid A Khanzada, Allama Babar Rehmani, Shoeb Khan Madina Masjid, Suleman Hashmi CEO Texas Genral Hospital, Mrs Marjan Pasha Hashmi, Mumtaz Tabasum, Nadeem, councilman Dr Shahid Shafi and other prominent personalities attended the iftar.

The dinner, sponsored by renowned city businessmen Amir Ali Rupani, Mohsin Mandavia, Akram Syed Arman and others, was also attended by a large number of religious leadership from all sections.

Imam Khalil Abdur-Rashid and Imam Shpendim Nadzaku spoke on the importance of fasting in Ramadan.

Speaking on this occasion, Dallas mayor Mike Rawling said that this iftar, in its second year, is a testament to the progress of the city and the importance of creating an inclusive environment that celebrates its wonderful diversity.

He said Ramadan teaches us that we cannot sleep while our neighbor is hungry, that is powerful. I tell you I won't be able to sleep soundly again after hearing that.

President of the Society of North America (ISA) Azhar Azeez highlighted the experience and contribution of the American Muslim community. He shared a quote with the audience “America is not like a blanket-one piece of unbroken cloth, the same color, the same texture, the same size. America is more like a quilt-many patches, many pieces, many colors, many sizes, all woven and held together by a common thread.”

Host committee head Amir Ali Rupani said that 60 mayors have so far been elected in the past but Mike is the first one who started these traditions and we want to leave this wonderful tradition for our future generations.