Delaware News

Governor Carney Hosts Ramadan Iftar Dinner at Woodburn

Governor John Carney | Office of the Governor | Date Posted: Wednesday, May 29, 2019



DOVER, Del. — Governor John Carney hosted 30 guests Tuesday night at a Ramadan Iftar dinner at Woodburn, including members of Delaware’s Muslim community and statewide elected officials.

The Iftar is the evening meal after sunset that concludes the daily fasting during the month of Ramadan, which ends the evening of June 3 this year. For observers, the Iftar dinner and Ramadan are a time to reflect on humanity and to reaffirm commitments to helping the less fortunate.

“Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection when compassion and commitment to care for the most vulnerable among us is highlighted,” said Governor Carney. “I am proud and pleased to stand as a friend to the Muslim community of Delaware, which has strengthened our state in innumerable ways and given so much to others.”

Tuesday’s event was the fifth Iftar dinner hosted by a Governor of Delaware since 2015. In attendance were representatives from six Delaware mosques as well as Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall Long, Dover Mayor Robin Christiansen, Attorney General Kathleen Jennings, Department of Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Robert Coupe, and Delaware State Housing Authority Director Anas Ben Addi.

“Delaware’s Muslim community is appreciative that Governor Carney has continued with this tradition, and we are honored that he once again extended an invitation for us to join him at Woodburn for this celebration of faith,” said Dr. Muqtedar Khan, a professor at the University of Delaware and president of the Delaware Council on Global and Muslim Affairs. “This event celebrates our state’s diverse population and sends a message that Delaware is welcoming to all people.”

“Ramadan is the most important month for Muslims in terms of their spiritual being. It’s a time to take a step back from our daily lives and focus on nourishing our souls,” said Imam Arqum Rashid, of the Islamic Society of Central Delaware. “This Iftar dinner gives us all an opportunity to start a conversation with one another to learn more about different cultures and religions and to get to know our neighbors. It reaffirms the fact that Delaware is an inclusive state and every resident who lives here is valued equally.”

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Governor Carney Hosts Ramadan Iftar Dinner at Woodburn

Governor John Carney | Office of the Governor | Date Posted: Wednesday, May 29, 2019



DOVER, Del. — Governor John Carney hosted 30 guests Tuesday night at a Ramadan Iftar dinner at Woodburn, including members of Delaware’s Muslim community and statewide elected officials.

The Iftar is the evening meal after sunset that concludes the daily fasting during the month of Ramadan, which ends the evening of June 3 this year. For observers, the Iftar dinner and Ramadan are a time to reflect on humanity and to reaffirm commitments to helping the less fortunate.

“Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection when compassion and commitment to care for the most vulnerable among us is highlighted,” said Governor Carney. “I am proud and pleased to stand as a friend to the Muslim community of Delaware, which has strengthened our state in innumerable ways and given so much to others.”

Tuesday’s event was the fifth Iftar dinner hosted by a Governor of Delaware since 2015. In attendance were representatives from six Delaware mosques as well as Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall Long, Dover Mayor Robin Christiansen, Attorney General Kathleen Jennings, Department of Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Robert Coupe, and Delaware State Housing Authority Director Anas Ben Addi.

“Delaware’s Muslim community is appreciative that Governor Carney has continued with this tradition, and we are honored that he once again extended an invitation for us to join him at Woodburn for this celebration of faith,” said Dr. Muqtedar Khan, a professor at the University of Delaware and president of the Delaware Council on Global and Muslim Affairs. “This event celebrates our state’s diverse population and sends a message that Delaware is welcoming to all people.”

“Ramadan is the most important month for Muslims in terms of their spiritual being. It’s a time to take a step back from our daily lives and focus on nourishing our souls,” said Imam Arqum Rashid, of the Islamic Society of Central Delaware. “This Iftar dinner gives us all an opportunity to start a conversation with one another to learn more about different cultures and religions and to get to know our neighbors. It reaffirms the fact that Delaware is an inclusive state and every resident who lives here is valued equally.”

###

Click here to view photos.

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  , , ,


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.