Interfaith Fast for Peace

A letter from Dr. Sayyid Syeed, National Director of ISNA

“Assalamu Alaykum,

Once again the month of Ramadan, the month of fasting is coming with all the blessings and favors from Allah Almighty. Particularly, around Oct 8, we will be looking for the Night of Power that opens the doors of Allah’s mercy, forgiveness and spiritual enhancement, one night that is equal to praying for a thousand months.

The good news is that this year we are not going to fast alone. A large number of our friends from other faiths have decided to fast with us on Oct 8 and pray that evening for the end of Iraq war. They will be joining us in our prayers for peace and justice. This will be a unique experience for America to see Muslims joined by peace loving People of the Book, fasting, praying for the end of suffering and humiliation of the weak and the oppressed.

The initiative called “From Conquest to Community, From Violence to Reverence: An Interfaith Fast to End the War in Iraq” has been endorsed by many senior religious leaders. The events will begin on the night of Oct. 7th when religious people will gather together for such as candlelight vigils and prayers. On Oct. 8th, they will join us in fasting during the day, and will have peace events in public locations that include both religious and community leaders and elected officials. That night, they will gather for iftar to break the fast in celebration for what has already occurred and in anticipation of what will happen because of these actions.

We would like to request you to fully cooperate with this initiative. Please take the initiative to contact other religious leaders in your neighborhood and help organize events in your community. Where appropriate and possible, I encourage you to open your mosque and invite your neighbors of other religious traditions for iftar on the Night of Power. They too will have fasted that day in solidarity with us. After Iftar and interaction with them you will still have time for taraweih and the qiyam allail, the nightly vigil, and Allah will reward you amply for your hospitality and generosity.

You are also welcome to participate in the organizing of this national event. Please write to Rev Dr. Shanta Premawardhana, Associate General Secretary of the National council of Churches who is coordinating with other national and local organizations. His email address is: Shanta@ncccusa.org

For more information please visit http://www.interfaithfast.org ; .

With dua and sincere salaams,

Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed

National Director; : 202-544-5656 Fax: 202-544-6636; ISNA; 110 Maryland Ave NE, Suite 304; Washington DC, 20002.

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