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IFTAR Historical Ramadhaan Dinner

Nov 10, 2004

Brooklyn Borough Hall

The IFTAR Historical Ramadhaan Dinner was the first of its kind. It started off with the Mistress of Ceremonies, Ayesha Mohammed, Coordinator for the United Muslim Women’s Association Islamic Cultural Center of NY, welcoming the audience.Ms. Mohammed then introduced the keynote speaker, Imam Abdul-Rahman Farrakhan, from Masjid Al-Jamiya, located at 547 Howard Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Abdul Rahman. Farrakhan studied comparative religion under the tutelage of Jaffar Sheik Idris of the University of Riyadh, located in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia, for several years. His studies have led him to Egypt, Sudan, and Saudia Arabia, as well as the Caribbean and throughout the United States. In addition to religious studies and philosophy, he has studied extensively in the areas of political science, world history and economics. Brother Farrakhan was appointed as one of the first three (3) Muslim chaplains in the Department of Corrections, Division of Ministerial Services of New York State. He worked there for nine (9) years, and has been a volunteer chaplain in the New York City Department of Corrections, while still volunteering his time with the state correctional system.

His experience is buttressed by his education; notably, he studied at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business’ Not-for-Profit Institute. Mr. Farrakhan holds an AAS degree from CUNY/BMCC and certificates from the National Economic Development Finance, CUNY/York College in Management and Maintenance, and the Small Business Administration in Accounting and Recording. He also holds the following licenses; New York State Real Estate Broker, Certified Housing Manager, Public Housing Manager, Notary Public, and Process Server. In his speech, Mr. Farrakhan commented that not all Muslims are terrorists. “We are God-loving, caring people, like other religions of the world. We want to forge relationships with the Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, and other communities, and many other faiths—living in harmony together.” Mr. Farrakhan thanked Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz for holding this historical event, which is the first IFTAR dinner of its kind. Had it not been for Marty Markowitz, this event would not have been possible.

Mistress of Ceremonies Ayesha Mohammed then introduced the Honorable Marty Markowitz, who thanked everyone for attending this historical event. His speech went as follows:

“Salam Alaykam and welcome to City Hall, the City of Brooklyn. Before I begin, I want to wish everyone “Ramadaan Moo-Barrick—and I hope you have all seen the banner outside in Borough Hall Plaza, informing all Brooklynites of the meaning of the Ramadaan holiday. I want to take a moment to say “Shook-Ran” to a few members of our Muslim community, who helped make today’s wonderful celebration possible: Air-Hon Yull-Duroom, from the United American Muslim Association, Imam Abdul Rahman Farrakhan of Mas-Jeed Al-Ja-Maya, Say-It Ahmet Kurum-Cha of the American Association of Crimean Turks, and to all those who took part in planning today’s event.

Today is a great day for our city and for the thousands of Muslim Americans that make Brooklyn one of the Muslim capitals of America. Because Brooklynites share the principles of brotherhood and forgiveness and reflection that mark the month of Ramadaan for millions of Muslims around the world—including right here in Brooklyn, today’s event marks the first ever IFTAR dinner to be held at Brooklyn Borough Hall—and I know it will be the first of many in the years to come.

Last month, we were proud to host the first ever Muslim American Celebration at Borough Hall for the beginning of Ramadaan. Both events, I might add, are long overdue.

Muslims from every part of the world call Brooklyn ‘Home’. In addition to the largest Pakistani-American population in the country—we are proud to be home to those from Bangladesh, Turkey, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Jordan, Yemen, Albania, the Nations of the Former Yugoslavia, and many, many more.

Brooklyn is truly home to everyone from everywhere, and Brooklynites know that our vibrant, generous and peaceful Muslim communities are a big reason why we can take pride in being the most diverse city anywhere. That’s because we recognize that we each pray to one God, and that we are far more similar than we are different.

That’s why I know I share the dream of many that, one day, the world’s religious leaders can do what our political leaders seem incapable of doing—which is unite each of the world’s citizens as children of one God.

I want to take a moment now to honor some of Brooklyn’s outstanding Muslim Americans. As the coordinator of external programs for Brooklyn’s public schools, as a member of my Anti-bias task force, or as a board member of Women in Islam, Debbie Almontaser is dedicated to increasing understanding among our borough’s diverse residents.

The Arab Muslim American Federation has done so much to build cooperation and collaboration among the communities and institutions of Brooklyn, and all America. So, it is an honor to present this citation to the Arab Muslim American Federation, which is represented today by Wy-El-Moos-Far

Brooklyn is proud to be the Caribbean American Capital of America as well as a Muslim American Capital, and few have contributed more to these communities or forged more connections among Brooklyn’s many religious groups than Amir Abdullah Muhammed Abdul Akbar. Amir!

In closing, once again, I say ‘Ramadan Moo Barrick’—and on behalf of all in Brooklyn, I say to our Muslim Community—Shook-Ran.”

The last speech was given by Seyet Ahmet Kirimea, who was born in 1946 in Germany. He Emigrated from Turkey to the United States in 1963. He is a college graduate from Brooklyn. He established the Ismail Gaspirali Bey Fund on behalf of the Crimean Turks Association at Columbia University in 1985, is a Crimean Tarter Educator, Editor of the Newspaper Tercuman and an Initiator of the Usulu Cedid method of teaching, (the modernized Islamic Education in Central Asia). He also contributed to the book “Tarter’s of the Crimea” for the 1988 and 98 edition, edited by Professor Allworth of Columbia University (published by Duke University Press), was the president of the American Association and Mosque of Crimean Turks, (est. 1961), from 1999-2000. He has also been a member of this association since 1984 and has been a community activist. In his comments, he mentioned that Islam is a peaceful religion, that he is happy to see everyone united at this event, and that he is looking forward to more of these kinds of events.

The three honorees being honored at the event were Debbie Almontaser, NYC Educator and Activist, Women of Islam; the Arab Muslim American Federation, Building Bridges between different faiths and communities, and Amir Abdullah Muhammed Abdul-Akbar, Executive Director of the Caribbean-American Program for Empowerment. The closing prayer was given by Imam Hilmi Akdag.

After opening the fast, everyone made their way up to the Chambers. The food was great. There was lamb, cous-cous, assorted vegetables, fresh salads, many Middle-Eastern desserts, and fresh juices, including cherry and peach nectar. There was a Turkish dessert well known here as “nugget”.

We at Liberty News Online would like to thank Ms. Debbi Almontaser, NY Educator, activist, and Founder of the Women of Islam organization, for organizing this historical event. Other people who were on hand included members of the Arab-American Federation, Viva-America Organization, the American Arab Anti Discrimination Committee (AAAC), Daniel Meeter, Pastor of All First Reformed Church, The Council on American Islamic Relations, NY (CAIR-NY,) The Ocean Hill Brownsville Tennis Association, Inc, The.Egyptian-American United Legal and Social Fund, and many more organizations, to name a few. We would also like to thank Brother Amir Akbar, Executive Director of the CAPE organization, and one of the honorees of the night, for inviting us for this historical event of its kind. Folks, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz has pioneered this, and I hope all our Borough Presidents from different boroughs and politicians who are reading this can organize similar functions in each of their own boroughs respectively, for the Islamic community.

Liberty News Online Magazine would like to take this opportunity to salute the Honorable Marty Markowitz for his pioneering leadership throughout the Muslim community. If I were living in Brooklyn, I would definitely give Marty my vote.

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