FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (July 17, 2014) -- For the fifth consecutive year, the local Muslim community was joined by non-Muslims to break bread and celebrate Ramadan with an Iftar feast.
The nearly two-hour event, hosted by Fort Meade and the National Security Agency at Argonne Hills Chapel Center, provided an opportunity for non-Muslims to learn about Ramadan from those who practice Islam.
Nearly 200 people attended the dinner, which featured Adm. Michael S. Rogers, commander of U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency, as the keynote speaker.
"Our Department of Defense diversity is on full display tonight and every day on Fort Meade," said Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley. "We are home to over 49,000 U.S. service members and civilians of every major faith. Tonight we are proud to celebrate Iftar with one of those major groups -- our wonderful Muslim community.
"...Tonight's Iftar does not just showcase our diversity, it provides us an opportunity to celebrate and learn from it. I know that I am looking forward to learning more about the Muslim faith this evening," he said.
The Iftar dinner traditionally breaks each of the daylong fasts during the month of Ramadan, which began June 28 and ends July 28. Muslims abstain daily from food, drink and other physical needs between sunrise and sunset.
The fast is meant to allow individuals to put more effort into following Islamic practices.
"Iftar is the traditional Muslim breaking of the fast," said Chad Jones, director of the Fort Meade Public Affairs Office and Fort Meade's Muslim lay minister. "Ramadan is a monthlong celebration. It is the month the Quran was revealed and a very holy month for us Muslims."
Aqueel Iqbal of Makkah Learning Center in Gambrills opened the ceremony with a reading from the Quran, which discussed the importance of Ramadan and fasting.
Rogers said the reading reminded him of hearing the "Call to Prayer" during his service in Muslim countries.
"I don't understand the language, but I can recognize beauty and I can recognize the idea of faith and I can recognize the idea of being part of something bigger than oneself," he said.
During his remarks, Rogers said he looked forward to the opportunity to learn more about the Islamic faith.
"I love events like this because they recognize the diversity that is America, and they revel in that diversity that we can recognize the different faiths, different experiences, and they make us stronger as a nation and that we can learn from each other," he said.
At 8:33 p.m., the "Call to Prayer" was made in the chapel center. At the first note of the call, the Muslim attendees broke their fast, having their first bite of food and drink of water of the day.
Shortly after, the Maghrib prayer was conducted in the chapel. Non-muslims returned to the chapel to observe the prayer.
"It's very important for non-Muslims to enjoy and break bread with us; that's our pleasure," said Mamadou Thioune of Upper Marlboro. "It's wonderful."
Following the prayer, non-Muslims joined Muslims in a meal of traditional Middle Eastern food and pizza. During the dinner, non-Muslims were encouraged to ask questions about Islam and Ramadan.
Pete Smith, a candidate for the seat of Anne Arundel County councilman District 1, attended the Iftar dinner to better understand the beliefs and identity of the Muslim community.
"This is part of our community that, to some extent, is misrepresented at times," he said. "To break bread with them and build these relationships strengthens us as a community and a country."
Highland resident Homayara Aziz said it is important for non-Muslims to participate the Iftar meal to learn about Ramadan and that the principles of the holiday are universal -- not just Islamic. The fasting, she said, helps people appreciate they have food to eat at the end of the day.
"We believe in the those same principles of charity, citizenship, helping the poor, helping the needy," Aziz said. "I think it really bonds us together. That's the whole reason Iftar draws so many people -- the principles of Ramadan are the same for every one."
Aziz, who has attended Fort Meade's Iftar for the fourth year, said more people participate each year.
"Every year I feel like this grows and grows," she said. "It feels like there were more non-Muslims than Muslims celebrating with us. They were part of the whole celebration.
"It's really become like a family. Some of these folks who are non-Muslim, we see them every year and it's just celebration here. It's wonderful."
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