Our Community Iftars Nourish the Soul

Every year, ‘Muslim Women For’ hosts Ramadan iftars across the state to foster community belonging. It’s an absolute pleasure for us to host community members each year. No matter if we’ve met them before, if they’re Muslim or not, practicing or not, we are honored that people This year was no different. In an increasingly polarizing and isolating world, these community events have been vital to our growth and connectedness as a community organization.

Each iftar looks different, in Greensboro, where most people have been part of that community for years, friends feel more like family and the conversation sprouts easily. Many Muslim residents in Greensboro have been disillusioned by the increasing violence in the city. In Raleigh, Muslim organizers have worked tirelessly protesting, signing petitions and writing statements to Raleigh city council to demand a ceasefire which has yet to happen. Across the globe, we’ve seen our Ummah come together to resist oppression, call out injustice and stand with our brothers and sisters. It is beautiful to see these images of resistance but they wouldn’t exist without a deep love and commitment to each other’s liberation. 

Community iftars are our opportunity to meet with the people that follow us on social media or that have attended our other events but don’t have the time to connect with beyond fleeting conversations. This year, we asked our attendees to share with us their experience at the events.  

“I was there at their inauguration event, the art is amazing. It was good to meet everyone and get to know what ‘Muslim Women For’ stands for and put a face to the organization.” 

Another attendee shared, “the iftar was a heartwarming event that felt like having a home away from home; a feeling that’s especially valuable during Ramadan - a month that centers on being surrounded by community. Muslim Women For has always been a leader in my opinion in creating spaces that feel safe and very empowering to me and that bring together a lovely group of people.” 

We’ve so grateful to create space for our community to gather and get to know each other and build transformational relationships. We believe that all our problems are solvable and that knowing each other is the best way to support community members. We hope to meet you at a future Ramadan iftar or at another event. Breaking bread is so much more than a way of getting to know each other, its a spiritual directive from the Divine.

We’re wishing you and your loved ones and joyous Eid.

Eid Mubarak!