A mammoth gathering on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at the Bayou City Center in Houston of over 2,000 persons made it again the largest Iftar Dinner event in the United States of America.
Silver Jubilee of America’s largest Annual Houston Iftar Dinner was organized for the past many years by the Muslim Sister Cities of Houston, namely Abu Dhabi, Baku, Basrah, Istanbul, and Karachi; along with the collaborating Organization including Ismaili Council for the Southwest US and over 40 Community organizations.
At the 25th Annual Iftar dinner Mayor John Whitmire received a warm welcome from the Community. A minute’s silence was observed for the martyrs of Gaza. Diplomats of several countries including Congress members Sheila Jackson Lee, AL. Green, Fort Bend County Judge K.P. George, Ambassador Khazar Ibrahim of Azerbaijan, Chief of Houston Police Department Troy Finner, Susan Young, President, Sister Cities of Houston, several City Council members including Edward Pollard, and President of Abu Dhabi Jamal Bafagih, Orhan Osman of Houston Istanbul Sister City Association and Community leaders from several nationalities from around the world attended the Iftar dinner.
On this occasion, while talking to the media, the newly elected John Whitmire said that I feel the pain of the people of Gaza, but my priority is the affairs of Houston, I do not want to involve myself in international affairs.
Speaking at the Iftar dinner, Congressman Al Green called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for the immediate recognition of Palestine as an independent state. Iftar dinner coordinator Muhammad Saeed Sheikh welcomed the distinguished guests and expressed his gratitude to Chief Patron Syed Javaid Anwar and Tanweer Ahmed for being the major sponsor of the event. He further paid tribute to the organizing committee, collaborating organizations and media.
President Faisal Momin, of Ismaili Council Introduced the Mayor and prominent Arab Community leader Ahmed Alyasin highlighted the suffering of humanity around the world, especially in Gaza.
A powerful message was delivered by Islamic Scholar Kemal Civelek of Islamic Institute highlighting the “Significance of Ramadan” saying this month is about inculcating Self-Control to achieve God Conscience; spoke about societies losing the moral campus, & he supplicated for the whole world as we are facing difficulties on Muslims especially in Gaza.
Invocation and Adhan were done by Fatih Bayar, Chaplin, Memorial Herman and Mughrib prayers led by Mufti Abdul Qadar Siddiqui. Sumptuous food was served by Tempura, Fadi’s, and Sweet Factory.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s video message of Ramadan greetings to the Muslims American community was also played on big screen at the Iftar. At the end community members lined up to take pictures and greet Mayor Whitmire.
