Interfaith meetings send message of unity: US envoy

Chennai: The US Consul General, Robert Burgess, said events such as the Interfaith Iftar send an important message of unity of connection and understanding among communities.

Addressing an ‘Interfaith Iftar’ meeting in Chennai, Robert Burgess said very much like India, the US is a multicultural society with all faiths sharing space and communities living and working together.

 Reading out a statement from Michael R. Pompeo, US, Secretary of State, the Consul General said, “Michael R. Pompeo said that for many Muslims, this month is an occasion to focus on spiritual rejuvenation, kindness and resilience, compassion for those less fortunate, and harmony across diverse communities. In the United States, many mosques and homes welcome friends and neighbours of different faiths to unite under our common American values of equality, charity, and generosity”. “Ramadan serves as a reminder to people of all faiths and backgrounds of the importance of shared compassion, respect, and support for one another. Through the daily act of breaking fast and sharing a meal, Ramadan revitalises community bonds and emphasises community service. In this spirit, we reflect upon our mutual responsibilities for one another, regardless of faith, and strive to be our best selves,” said Michael R. Pompeo.

 Robert Burgess said across the world, including in US, people are gathering to break the fast and over the years this has become a ritual and routine in US too. The very first Iftar in US took place in 1805, when President Thomas Jefferson hosted the Iftar in the White House and come a couple of centuries later, President Gerald Ford issued first official recognition of Ramadan.

 Today there is uniquely American ways of celebrating Ramadan in breaking fast. It also reflects diversity of Muslim communities in US with representatives from around the world are part of the fabric of US and part of the culture as are all religions. Very much like India, the US is a multicultural society with all faith, sharing space and communities living and working together.

 Prince of Arcot, Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali, said “fasting is in every religion. Fasting is good for ourselves and it cleanses the body. Tamil Nadu is a peaceful state. The new government formed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi should create a new India and take minorities communities into confidence and the minorities should also forget the things took place in the past. A Faizur Rahman, Secretary General of Islamic Forum for Promotion of Moderate Thought, said “Swami Vivekananda desired for collaboration of Islam and Hinduism for India to prosper. Swami Vivekananda said India needs Hindu mind and an Islamic body”. The ‘Interfaith Iftar’ organised by the South India Education Trust along with the Muslim Educational Association of southern India (MEASI), Anjuman-e-Himayat-e-Islam, Islamic Forum for the Promotion of Moderate Thought, Institute of Dialogue with Cultures and Religions (IDCR) and Sri Vishnu Mohan Foundation, to mark the auspicious month of Ramzan, at the SIET College, Teynampet, on Saturday.