By Daniel Massey
In a year when world events have placed added significance on the Islamic celebration of Ramadan, members of the Imam Al-Khoei Islamic Center in Jamaica ushered in the holy month in a special inter-faith service Friday afternoon.
More than 200 worshipers gathered as Father James Nunes, chaplain of Jamaica Hospital Center, and Rev. Edward Davis of the Presbyterian Church of St. Albans joined the mosque’s imam, Fadhel Al-Sahlani, in calling for peace and understanding in the city and the world.
“This is a different Ramadan month than others because of the tragedy of the World Trade Center,” Al-Sahlani told the gathering. “One of the impacts of this act is that it provided the opportunity for all people to come together and create understanding among each other.”
Davis and Nunes both spoke of the need for people of different faiths to join together in the aftermath of the terrorism of Sept. 11. Nunes, who said it was the first time he had ever been in a mosque, borrowed from the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his remarks.
“Returning hate for hate multiples hate,” said Nunes. “Hate cannot drown out hate. Only love can do that.”
Ali Mirza, president of Americans of Pakistani Heritage, said this year’s holiday is especially important because it gives Muslims an opportunity to show the world what their religion — widely misunderstood since the Sept. 11 attacks — truly stands for.
“This month is being used to make sure we define ourselves in a correct way according to the correct teachings of the Koran,” he said. “Things not part of Islam have been claimed to be part of Islam, leading people to believe that people like Osama bin Laden represent Muslims.”
Bin Laden, an exiled Saudi who is head of the Al Queda terrorist network, is suspected of orchestrating the hijackings of the jetliners that slammed into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon.
During the month-long celebration of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk.
But Mirza said giving up such pleasures is just one part of Ramadan.
“It’s also an enforcement of moral values,” he said after the service. “It reinforces that you have to be a good human being.”
Sumara Mukhtar was one of more than 100 students from the center’s school who attended the inter-faith gathering. The 12th grader said Ramadan has always been a special holiday to her, but it has taken on a special meaning this year.
“It helps us get in touch with ourselves. It’s very spiritual to me,” she said. “There is so much conflict all around the world. You need a sense of peace in the world, but also within yourself and Ramadan helps you obtain that.”
Al-Sahlani said this year’s celebration took on added meaning because of the conflict in Afghanistan, where U.S. and British forces are conducting bombing raids to remove the Taliban regime, which has given safe haven to bin Laden. The imam led a special prayer for the innocent victims of the fighting.
He said the U.S. bombing should stop during the holy month out of “respect and feeling” for innocent people who are being affected, but he acknowledged that there has been little support across the country for a break in the military assault.
“What’s happening there will remain on our minds,” he said. “We will pray to let this war end quickly.”
Reach reporter Daniel Massey by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 156.
