During this month, Muslims are observing the month of Ramadan by fasting from sunup to sundown. It is a custom during this time to invite others to break the fast together at an evening iftar meal, and this has become an opportunity in recent years for non-Muslims to learn about the meaning of Ramadan. Several local mosques and Muslim communities in conjunction with CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) are sponsoring special Ramadan open houses and iftar meals. Here is a chance to meet your neighbors and learn more about them.
All gatherings include a complimentary dinner. Because space is limited and food must be prepared, please be sure to register ahead of time. You can do that at myvillage.us/profile/profile.asp?/my/ramadan
Saturday, September 13, 2008, 5:30 pm, Santa Clara
Muslim Community Association
Location: 3000 Scott Blvd, Santa Clara. Registration: 5:00 pm Program: 5:30 pm. For more information and rsvp online go to www.mcabayarea.org/Outreach/Events/OpenHouse.aspx
Saturday, September 13, 2008, 5:30 pm, San Martin
South Valley Islamic Community
Location San Martins Lions Club: 12415 Murphy Ave., San Martin, Information: www.svic.org | 408.535.0112 Registration: 5:00pm Program: 5:30pm. Register online.
Sunday, September 14, 2008, 5:30 pm San Jose
Blossom Valley Muslim Community Center
Location: 5885 Santa Teresa Blvd #113 Information: www.bvmcc.org | 408.362.0903 Registration: 5:00pm; Program: 5:30pm. Register online
Sunday September 14th 2008, 6:00 pm, San Jose
Shia Muslim Association of the Bay Area
Location:: 4415 Fortran Ct., San Jose. Information: www.saba-igc.org | 408.946.5700 Registration: 5:30pm; Program: 6:00pm. Register online
Sunday, September 14, 2008, 5:30 pm, San Jose
South Bay Islamic Association
Come and learn about the observance and significance of Ramadan in the Muslim Community. Location: South Bay Islamic Association, 325 N. 3rd St, San Jose. www.sbia.info. Register online
[...] How many banner headlines did you read or see that spoke of the ceremony held in Florida by the Muslim residents of that state, honoring those who died on September 11, 2001? Or who signed up for the Open Houses held throughout the state of California and sponsored by various Muslim organizations who flung open their doors to various and sundy people who might have questions to ask of the Muslim residents of that state or gripes to pick with them? Instead we have become a Nation that is force fed a steady diet of Islamophobia via the same main stream media that was wrong 100% of the time when it came to Iraq, WMD, the war on terror and government responsibility towards its citizens. As it’s said on some of the meaner city streets than the internet, ‘if you don’t know you’d better ask somebody!’ Has anyone done that with any of their Muslim neighbors? [...]