Enjoying an Iftar with people from Chain of Lakes Church

Last night thirteen people from Chain of Lakes, including myself, participating in a Ramdan Iftar dinner at the MAS Blaine Masjid or what I have called the Blaine Islamic Center.  This was an event coordinated by the Minnesota Council of Churches. Last night in twenty-two places across Minnesota a “Taking Heart Ramadan Iftar dinner” took place.

An Iftar is the daily, fast-breaking meal of Muslims in Ramadan.  Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and a holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal. Islamic tradition shares that during one of the last ten nights of Ramadan God revealed to the prophet Muhammad the Quran, Islam’s holy book.

This past January I shared a sermon series called “Faith Seeking Understanding.” Each week I looked at the tenets of a basic religion—Islam, Judaism, and even Atheism—though Atheism is not a religion. I ended the series by preaching on Christianity. During the series a group of people at Chain of Lakes expressed a desire to attend prayers at the Blaine Islamic Center. Last night was the opportunity for many of us to attend.

One of the benefits of this series is my friendship with Zafar Saddiqui, who is co-founder and past president of the Islamic Resource Group (IRG). The mission of the IRG is to build bridges of understanding between Muslim Americans and the broader community through education. Zafar  serves on the advisory board of the Muslim Christian Dialog Center (MCDC) at the University of St. Thomas and is a member of the Minnesota Multi-faith Network (MnMN).

The people of Chain of Lakes first developed a relationship with the Blaine Islamic Center in 2017 when the Dar-Al Farooq Islamic Center was bombed. The Session of Chain of Lakes approved a letter expressing outrage at this bombing, complete support and the commitment to safety of our friends in the Islamic community. I personally delivered the letter to Iman Waleed Shady of the Blaine Islamic Center.

When I showed the picture below to Iman Shady last night he smiled. Both of us were seven years younger, but our commitment to inter-religious connection has not waned.

The gathering last night was beautiful—a community celebration of connection. At least a hundred people attended, including officers from the Blaine Police Department and local political leaders. I had the opportunity to sit at the table with two of the Imans, including Iman Shahid.  I showed him the picture of sharing this letter in 2017.

The evening started with a call to prayer and then the recitation of the Quron by a younger Iman from the Blaine Islamic Center. Two young people shared a talk on Islam 101. We had a friendly competition among tables about knowledge of Islam. We had conversation at our tables. When the time of sunset arrived everyone went upstairs to either pray or to observe the prayers. We then went back to our tables to enjoy a beautiful meal from the Holy Land Deli. Gifts were distributed from the Blaine Islamic Center.

Opportunities to grow in understanding about other religions are rare and important to enjoy. And unfortunately Islamophobia is a terrible reality. Calls to prevent Muslims from entering America are counter to what Jesus would teach. 

I’m excited about the growth of the Blaine Islamic Center. Iman Shaady shared that a new Islamic Center is being proposed in Lino Lakes, on the corner of Main and Sunset. 

As a Christian leader I’m not threatened at all by this growth. My work at Chain of Lakes is to create an authentic, Christian community where strangers become friends who become disciples who impact the world. I don’t see my work in competition with the Blaine Islamic Center. Instead I see us partners in creating the Kingdom that God desires. 

Last night’s Iftar was a wonderful opportunity to live into this Kingdom.