Impact
St. Pete comes together for 6th annual Iftar Dinner
Hundreds of residents of various faiths gathered at the Coliseum Tuesday night for St. Petersburg’s Iftar Dinner.
The annual event, now in its sixth year, is hosted by the Tampa Bay Area Muslim Association. The free dinner brings together people of various faiths and walks of life, with a mission of “breaking bread together with peace, love and compassion for all humanity.”
In the Muslim faith, the holy month of Ramadan is about reflection, community, giving and prayer. Each night, followers break the month’s daily fast with a celebratory Iftar dinner.
“If there was there ever was a time when humanity needs to come together to promote peace, love and compassion, that time is now,” Abdul Karim Ali, President of the Tampa Bay Area Muslim Association, told the Catalyst. “We are all on the same planet. We all breathe the same air. We have learned that this planet is big and spacious enough to incorporate all of us, so we need to learn how to share this precious gift from our Creator with each other.”
The annual Iftar Dinner specifically does not have assigned seating; organizers encourage attendees to share a table with people of varying beliefs. Tuesday night’s program included prayers, a Qur’anic recitation, the pledge of allegiance and greetings from local leaders, including St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch.
Welch said the hundreds showing support for their Muslim neighbors embodied the city’s “We Are St. Pete” motto, noting the importance of many faiths coming together to bridge gaps and celebrate differences.
“Tonight is an important observance for Muslim brothers and sisters. It’s also an opportunity to celebrate our shared values in our common purpose,” Welch said to the crowd. “In a world that is often marked by division, as we know, events like this remind us of the power of unity, and through our unity, we find strength. Through that strength, together, we will continue to thrive as one community.”
Other City Council members in attendance included chair Deborah Figgs-Sanders, Richie Floyd (District 8), Brandi Gabbard (District 2) and John Muhammad (District 7). Representatives from the Pinellas County School Board, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and St. Petersburg Chief of Police Anthony Holloway were also present.
This year’s Iftar Dinner included children’s activities, and specifically invited college students from the University of South Florida (USF) St. Petersburg.
“The warmth and hospitality that has been extended to me by not only the Tampa Bay Area Muslim Association but also the administration of the City of St. Petersburg has truly made me feel as if this city is my home far away from home,” said USF St. Petersburg Student Governor Abdul Muqeet Khawaja, an international student from Pakistan.
“This simple act of breaking bread together with the people around you serves as a powerful testament to our shared humanity. In a world where differences too often divide us, events like this bring us together and showcase what our community stands for, proving the strength that lies in the diversity of our communities.”
Keynote speaker Sheik Saad Slaou implored attendees “from different backgrounds to get together and learn from each other.”
Before dinner was served at sunset, attendees listened to a keynote speech from Sheik Saad Slaoui, a community leader and Imam (religious teacher) of the Islamic Society of Pinellas County.
“I commend you for being here tonight because it says a lot about your spirit of tolerance, open-mindedness and inclusiveness,” Slaoui said to the audience. “You are a part of those that still believe in the human spirit; the ones that still remember the fact that we have the same origins, that all men are created equal and that all of us are brothers and sisters in humanity. What really separates us are the choices that we make.”
“We have to believe without a shadow of a doubt that every human being deserves to be treated with respect, honor and dignity.”
John Strauss
March 27, 2024at4:17 pm
If they hadn’t attacked Israel none of this would be happening. 70+% of Gazans still support Hamas and do not want Israel or Jews to exist. They brought it all on themselves.
John Strauss
March 27, 2024at4:15 pm
Because it’s all smoke and mirrors. Islam as a religion does not respect other religions – they just want to conquer and control. That underlies everything they do. Don’t believe what they say – look at what they are doing wherever they live in large enough numbers to be influential.
Steven Brady
March 27, 2024at3:20 pm
It looks like a nice dinner. And I love the idea of people coming together.
And yet… who were those protesters I saw walking downtown surrounded by St. Petersburg police about two months ago, some of them USF students, obviously Muslim, who had signs and who were screaming with electric megaphones that Israel should be destroyed and the Jews annihilated (that’s what from the river to the sea means).
Did any local religious leaders mention or distance themselves from Hamas or their Palestinian supporters at the dinner?
Did the protesters attend the dinner?
Hamas wants to destroy anyone who isn’t just like them by the way. Even other Muslims who aren’t like them. It’s why they are a terrorist organization. It’s why the other neighboring countries want nothing to do with them.
I certainly don’t know everything, but I don’t remember any local leaders condemning Hamas or the recent attacks on civilians in Israel. Aren’t these same Palestinian groups still holding some of these civilians hostages?
How could anyone support a group that approves of terrorists throwing babies in ovens in front of their parents? Then killing the parents. Or the other atrocities that happened. More than 1000 dead, if I recall. Brutally murdered. And yet there were those protesters, doing just that. In downtown St. Petersburg.
Ironic that many of the people murdered were there to bring people together. Just like the dinner.
Who could say nothing when it’s done in the name of God. Their God. I certainly would.
Memories are short it seems nowadays. Hopefully not that short.
If I’ve missed something please feel free to let me know. It’s quite possible I have missed something. Don’t be shy. Please. I like to operate with current, factual information.
Mirela S.
March 27, 2024at3:17 pm
It’s shocking and shameful that the speakers and organizers of the event expressed zero compassion toward what fellow Muslims in Gaza are experiencing during this year’s Ramadan. Not one person mentioned the people of Gaza. Not one word was said to acknowledge the violence and starvation happening in Gaza—with full knowledge that so many people in Gaza are observing the month of Ramadan in inhumane living conditions and without food. I left the event feeling sad and so disappointed.