Kim Guadagno Attends Ramadan Event In Edison

EDISON, NJ — The American Muslim Council held their sixth annual Grand Interfaith Dinner or iftar last Thursday, June 15 at the Royal Albert Palace in Edison. Special guests included Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, who is the Republican nominee for New Jersey Governor, and Timothy Gallagher, FBI Special Agent in Charge in Newark, who both gave warm wishes for a Happy Ramadan. The Democratic nominee Phil Murphy was unable to attend, organizers told Patch.

American Muslims from across New Jersey are currently observing the holy month of Ramadan where they fast from dawn to sunset in an effort to reconnect spiritually and to be grateful. It is a time to better one’s character, to ask for forgiveness and to be more compassionate through acts of kindness and charity. The breaking of the fast at sunset is called the iftar.

The annual interfaith Ramadan iftar brought approximately 700 people together from diverse faith communities across New Jersey. Faith leaders of the Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh and Hindu traditions spoke on the topic and theme of the event “Standing United For Humanity." The keynote address was given by Dr. Wahy-ud Deen Shareef, the Imam of Masjid Waarith ud Deen of Irvington. The program was hosted by Ahmed Al-Shebab, board member of Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) National and CAIR-NJ and by Azra Baig, a South Brunswick Board of Education member and community activist.

The event was attended by numerous elected officials including Senator Samuel Thompson, Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak, Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin, Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac, Edison Mayor Thomas Lankey, Freeholder Assad Akhter, Freeholder Brian Levine and others. Essma Bengabsia, President of the Muslim Network, also spoke at the event. The American Muslim Council presented awards to individuals and organizations including Dr. Ali Chaudry founder of the “Stand Up For The Other Pledge, Make the Road NJ, NJ Muslim Lawyers Association, Muslim League of Voters, and the New Jersey Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations.

The American Muslim Council also recognized the American Muslim Action Network, the NJ Muslim Voter Project, Masjid-E-Ali and Action Together NJ, for their service to the community.

There was a moment of silence which was observed at the event to reflect and pray for all victims of hate, those affected in the community, in New Jersey, across the Nation and around the World. Attendees used their cellphone lights to illuminate the room, the light representing a brighter future filled with peace and love.

All photos via Edison Township resident Sam Khan