Local Islamic Society welcomes community
By: Charlene Bielema, Herald Editor November 17, 2003
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10526872&BRD=1408&PAG=461&dept_id=463231&rfi=6
CLINTON - Tables laden with Indian cuisine glowed as flames from food warmers burned underneath the pans.
Nearby stood a hungry crowd of people, who although within reach of the food that was laid out at the Ericksen Community Center in Clinton, would not eat. They had to wait until sunset to break the fast, a daily tradition in the Muslim faith known as Iftar.
Within that setting Saturday afternoon, the Islamic Society of Clinton County opened its doors to people of other faiths, inviting Christians and Hindus to hear readings from the Quran, view the act of praying and to share reflections about the act of fasting.
Saturday’s event took place during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar as observed in the Islamic faith. Members of the Islamic Society wanted to host such an event, the second of its kind, to meet with local residents who practice other religions and let them know a little more about the Islamic tradition, how all are from the same God and are more alike than realized.
Talia Alvi explained the beliefs of Islam, how believers pray five times each day, how charity plays a major role in the lives of believers and, most importantly, to live according to God’s will. Believers state that Allah is Arabic for God, the same God that is worshipped in other religions.
“We talking about God like everybody else,” she said. “One who is all- powerful, all-seeing and all-wise.”
Fasting also is an important part of the belief and during the month of Ramadan believers are not allowed to eat after sunrise and must not eat or drink again until after sunset during the month.
Dr. M. Alvi, also a member of the society, said it is through fasting that the body is made stronger in faith - that the person fasting is seeking God consciousness. On the other side of the fast, he said, the person’s soul is restored and the person becomes a much better human being.
Also speaking on the tradition of fasting were Sister Hilary Mullany, OSF, and Umesh Bhatia, who spoke on the Hindu religion. Both explained the importance of fasting in their respective religions.
Mullany explained the tradition is observed during Lent, when parishioners are asked to give up something during the 40-day season. For most that is meat; children, she said, are asked to give up something important to them, such as candy or movies. She said those living in monasteries still follow the tradition of fasting three times a week as well as prior to the big feasts as observed in Catholicism.
“Fasting cleanses the mind and heart and brings about an understanding of the spiritual condition,” she said. “It restores our first love of Jesus Christ.”
Bhatia spoke of how fasting in his faith is believed to cleanse the body and rid it of toxins. It also is used as a sign of peaceful protest and is a discipline that religions have imposed on themselves.
“It is good for our souls and good for our bodies,” he said.
He also stressed that even though people practice different religions, they are all the same.
“We are the same people and we all fear the same God,” he said. “That’s something we must think about when we go out and fight our wars.”
Talia Alvi agrees.
“All humans are one community, one soul,” she said. “We are to love and care for all people.”