(SAINT PAUL, MN – For Immediate Release:? May 22, 2017)
Ramadan is the blessed month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunup to sundown. In 2017, Ramadan is on May 27 – June 25.
In 2017, Masjids and Islamic Centers across Minnesota are extending an invitation to their non-Muslim neighbors for a traditional Ramadan Iftar, or fast-breaking meal.
People of all faiths or none are invited to experience one or more of the Ramadan open houses organized as part of the Taking Heart Open House program of the Minnesota Council of Churches in partnership with the Muslim American Society and participating mosques in Minnesota.
Taking Heart has been bringing Muslims and non-Muslims together for food and conversation for ten years. “In 2016 over 800 community members participated in Taking Heart during Ramadan. Our hope is that many more people will join us this year for an Iftar dinner, especially those who have never had the opportunity,” said The Rev. Cynthia Bronson Sweigert, Taking Heart Organizer.
“Ramadan is a month of generosity and hospitality. We invite our neighbors to visit us and join us for a complimentary Iftar meal,” said Imam Asad Zaman.
These events are free and open to the public but registration is required. Information and registration materials can be found on the Minnesota Council of Churches website.
List of upcoming Taking Heart events:
- Ja-afari Islamic Center
Sunday, May 28, 8:15 pm,
10301 Jefferson Highway,
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 - Masjid Taqwa
Tuesday, May 30, 8:00 pm,
1608 Como Avenue,
St. Paul, MN 55108 - Umatul Islamic Center
Thursday, June 1, 7:45 pm,
3015 Second Avenue South,
Minneapolis, MN 55408 - Masjid Al-Ihsan
Saturday, June 3, 7:00 pm,
955 West Minnehaha Avenue,
St. Paul, MN 55104 - Masjid Al-Iman
Saturday, June 3, 7:15 pm,
1429 2nd Street NE,
Minneapolis, MN 55413 - Masjid Alhuda (Islamic Cultural Community Center)
Tuesday, June 6, 7:30 pm,
2534 Central Avenue NE,
Minneapolis, MN 55418 - MAS – Rosemount
Tuesday, June 6, 7:30 pm,
15400 South Robert Trail,
Rosemount, MN 55068 - Masjid Al Rahman Islamic Center
Thursday, June 8, 8:00 pm,
8910 Old Cedar Avenue,
Bloomington, MN 55425 - Islamic Association of Mankato
Wednesday, June 7, 8:30 pm,
Mankato Eagles Club,
708 N. Riverfront Street,
Mankato, MN? 56001 - Dar Al-Hijra
Friday, June 9, 7:30 pm,
504 Cedar Avenue S,
Minneapolis, MN 55454 - Niagara Foundation/ TASMN
Friday, June 9, 7:30 pm,
999 50th Avenue Northeast,
Columbia Heights, MN 55421 - Islamic Center of Winona
Saturday, June 10, 6:30 pm,
71 West Third Street,
Winona, MN 55987 - Imam Hussain Islamic Center
Sunday, June 11, 7:30 pm,
6120 Brooklyn Boulevard,
Brooklyn Center, MN 55429 - Masjid Al-Tawba
Sunday, June 11, 8:00 pm,
6861 Flying Cloud Drive,
Eden Prairie, MN 55344 - MAS – Blaine Center
Tuesday, June 13, 8:00 pm,
12175 Aberdeen Street Northeast,
Blaine, MN 55449 - Abubakar As-Sadique Islamic Center
Wednesday, June 14, 7:30 pm,
2824 13th Avenue South,
Minneapolis, MN 55407 - Islamic Society of Woodbury
Wednesday, June 14, 7:30 pm,
680 Commerce Drive, Suite 130,
Woodbury, MN 55125 - Dar Al-Farooq
Thursday, June 15, 8:00 pm,
8201 Park Avenue South,
Bloomington, MN 55425 - Islamic Center of MN
Friday, June 16, 7:30 pm,
1401 Gardenia Avenue NE,
Fridley, MN 55432 - Northwest Islamic Community Center (NWICC)
Saturday, June 17, 7:30 pm,
3300 Plymouth Boulevard,
Plymouth, MN 55447
About Minnesota Council of Churches
The Minnesota Council of Churches’ mission is to manifest unity in the church and to build the common good in the world. The Minnesota Council of Churches programs align with three broad categories: welcoming refugees, mobilizing the faith community to engage in public policy, and strengthening communities through relationships and understanding.? For more information, visit www.mnchurches.org.
About Muslim American Society MN
Muslim American Society of Minnesota (MAS-MN)? operates three Masjids (Islamic Centers) in Minnesota. MAS MN provides religious programming and youth programs. MAS MN is a community organization committed to making Minnesota a better place for all Minnesotans. MAS MN provides social services such as clinic and food shelves. A leader in interfaith dialogue, MAS MN is co-organizer of the Taking Heart Ramadan Iftar Open House program and the Rabbi Imam Round Table. MAS MN is committed to engaging the immigrant community in public policy and government affairs. MAS MN conducts events that educate and mobilize the community to participate in public affairs and civic activities on a non-partisan basis and to activate a new generation of community leaders.. For more information, visit masmn.org.
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RELATED LINKS:
Taking Heart Registration Link: http://www.mnchurches.org/respectfulcommunities/interfaithprogramming/takingheart/registration.html
What To Expect In A Masjid Primer: http://www.mnchurches.org/respectfulcommunities/interfaithprogramming/takingheart/WhattoExpectattheMosque.html
Taking Heart Video Journal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72R5lv0J058