Hawzah News Agency (Austin, US) - The event, hosted by the Austin Muslim Civic Ambassadors at the Asian American Resource Center, aims to "bridge the gap between local elected officials and Austin’s Muslim community," organizers said in a news release.
During holy month of "Ramadan", Muslims abstain from food and drink during the daylight hours. The meal that breaks the fast at sunset is called iftar.
Saturday's program began with a recitation from the Quran before guest speakers addressed the night's major theme: civic engagement.
AMCA President Kumail Hasan said Muslims can get involved by not only joining local boards or organizations, but by supporting the needs of other communities, whether protesting police brutality or laws affecting Dreamers.
"A major part of celebrating our diversity is building bridges with other groups and that requires us to actually be there when they need our support the most," he told guests.
Several members of Austin City Council were in attendance, including Mayor Steve Adler and council members Kathie Tovo, Ora Houston, Ann Kitchen and Leslie Pool.
Adler said the event is an expression of what it means for the community to get to know their neighbors better, adding that the recent bombings demonstrated why this is necessary.
"What we learned during this period of time is that we are most suspicious of what we don't see actively involved around us, of those things that don't intersect our lives on a daily basis and as a community we have to move past that," he said.
He said he hopes to see the citywide iftar grow to be as large as Houston's event — which more than 1,000 people attend each year — and invite more guests who are not Muslim.
"I pledge that for next iftar I will fight to match that same measure of devotion and commitment to something that is intended to be citywide," he said. “This iftar is our city at its best and I’m so honored to be a part of it."
Keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Alaa Murabit, a Canadian physician and United Nations commissioner who encouraged guests to vote and run for public office.
"Not so the community knows what we're about or better understands us, but because I genuinely believe that the people that we harm the most by not being involved is ourselves," she said. "And not from a standpoint that laws will be passed or legislation will happen, but rather communities who remain void of a larger conversation that impacts us daily."
Following speeches, guests broke their fast by eating a ripe date before splitting off into groups for an evening prayer and gathering afterward for the night's meal.
Over 250 people attended the event, said Hasan, adding that the number of guests has more than doubled since last year.
Austin resident Malikah Abdullah-Gil, who attended the event for the first time, said the event is important for understanding, especially in celebration with elected officials.
"It means my city is accepting, is tolerant and loving to all its citizens," she said, adding that is what Ramadan is all about.
"It’s a time where we learn what it feels like to humble, learn what it’s like to be compassionate and learn just to give more," she said. "It’s about fellowship and love."