On Friday, August 5, 2011, during the first week of the Month of Ramadan, the FORUM by The Pen and Inkpot Foundation called, 'Taste of Ramadan', a third glimpse, convened.

What makes it unique?  It is for non Muslims and Muslims from the Indiana community; it is an uncatered dinner; and the three speakers are part of a civil engagement from our community's. This event reminded each of us of the beauty of, 'what is Ramadan', its purpose and potent value in society, while reminding that the diversity of your food, comes the diversity of 'we' the people. It was an overflowing gathering of 260 people, with an astounding multicultural home cooked dinner, three vibrant and thought provoking speakers, with a unique Islamic Art, a letter by our Mayor, and an interfaith gathering with civic engagement. The forum, each year, reflects a grassroots event which is part of our society, with speakers and guests, who give their time to learn from each other.

The speakers were Mr. Fady Qaddoura, Public Policy Coordinator for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Indianapolis; Pastor Tom Hansen, head Pastor of Trinity Episcopal Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Dr. Ahmed Mustafa, Associate Professor of Biology, IPFW.  The speakers reminded us of serving, seeing love around us and in each of us, prophetic healing, the importance of self reflection and most importantly remembering to build one 'self', which is the ultimate cure for a sick society, which we often forget-and not just refraining from food, drink and other activity for one month.

Giving financial assistance is good, but it is not enough. Just like when a healthy person misses a fast, he or she must make it up, or a chronically sick person misses a fast, he or she must feed a fasting person, not just give money; there is a potent reason for this.

There is a reason for every action that our Creator requests and commands to us to do, yet with free 'will'. Until that 'will' understands its actions and reactions its 'will' is a reflex action, in dire need of spiritual nourishment and knowledge, even by the most religious of people. Being vigilant of our neighbor, the poor, the orphan, the women, the weak or sick 'around us' is key to healing and transformation.

This year The Pen and Inkpot Foundation awarded its Pi Scholarship to Mr. AbdiWahab Moburuk-this years recipient of the Pi Scholarship called the Dr. Aijaz Mirza Pi Scholarship

Congratulations to AbdiWahab  for a job well done!  This is a scholarship for students, while coming from under privileges circumstances, excel in their studies to enter college. Click here

Ultimately, we must build out society's, dialogue with our neighbors and not always give across the Atlantic and Pacific while our community needs assistance.However, family is first and those members in need overseas have first rights for assistance from each respective family member. God knows best.

It's purpose is to give a glimpse and a sound to share in an 'Iftar (fast breaking) with non-Muslims and Muslims and see the beauty and purpose of Ramadan and enjoy a wonderful multicultural dinner and to build bridges through the Muslims' celebrated month called Ramadan (month of fasting) amongst community's, as there are a significant number of Muslim children in our school system and Muslim adults in our communities, Universities and professions. Then reflect on the spiritual concept of fasting common to all faiths.   This event reflects the Multi-cultural vitality of Fort Wayne, as the diversity of our culture, of our palette and of our race as it is reflected in the flavorful taste of our foods.

We all are essentially the ‘Taste of Ramadan’ reflecting each of our unique tonal attributes.   And… it is through the architecture and tastes of our foods we take a glimpse tonight into the diversity of ourselves and our individual faiths to see our similarities not our differences. 

So, what is this Ramadan? Well Ramadan is a month of fasting for Muslims. There are basically five pillars in Islam: Shahhada (oneness of God), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity), Saum (fasting) and Hajj (the pilgrimage). Today we are celebrating the fourth pillar, called Saum or fasting which is the present month of which we share a taste called Ramadan. And we will journey through a few perspectives, from sharing a view of fasting by various speakers, which is common to all faiths and philosophies.  Essentially, Ramadan or the month of fasting is a spiritual and physically intense 30 days of reflection, sharing, giving, supplication and a self building.

The Pi Foundation thanks everyone for their participation, support and sponsorship.

Please consider supporting the scholarship fund by The Pen and Inkpot Foundation, as a Sadaqah or Zakat giving.

 

Uzma Mirza  AIA, NCARB, LEED AP

The Pen and Inkpot Foundation (501c3)

Founder and President

www.pifdn.org

The Pen and Inkpot Foundation (501C3)-Tax ID#-26-3091936
The Pen and Inkpot Foundation is a 501C3 non-profit charity: A national and local endowment building a sustainable world with you in mind.