Community comes together to break fast

Save room for Iftar dinner mints!

Brooklyn’s ever-growing Muslim community organized an Iftar dinner at the Kings Bay Y in Sheepshead Bay on July 8 to celebrate the breaking of the daily fast during the month of Ramadan.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, and worshipers fast until sundown to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran. Iftar dinners are usually done in big groups, and organizers said that this one was meant for wide and ecumenical participation.

“We like to share our dishes with our neighbors and our friends, Jewish friends or Christian friends,” said Vedat Bayrakder. Bayrakder worked with the Kings Bay Y to set up the event for 150 guests. An overflow of 250 people showed up to join in the festivities and partake in some traditional Halal food.

“Dinner was excellent,” Bayrakder said of the feast.

But the dinner wasn’t just for people to worship or grace their taste buds with new foods; it was about bringing people together.

“We want to show off Islam to our neighbors better,” said Bayrakder, “To let them know about us better and to celebrate together.”

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