1st Annual Ramadan Leadership Iftar
Will be posted
9th Annual Community Ramadan Dinner
CNY RISE Center has organized the 9th Annual Community Ramadan Dinner (Iftar). It was the first in-person organization since 2019. This particular night was celebrated with the participation of volunteers, distinguished guests, and CNY RISE Center members.
The program started with the welcoming speech of the Board President, Tim Saka. After a long break, Mr. Saka mentioned his appreciation and happiness in organizing an in-person event. He also noted that: "Even though we never stopped organizing great virtual events during the hard days of the pandemic, it is wonderful to see our friends in person in this historic building which has witnessed many spiritual events before."
Ramadan Dinner continued with the Quran recitation of Imam Muris Neimarlija. He also gave an inspirational speech on the importance of charity in Islam. He compared what is happening in Ukraine with the genocide that occurred in Bosnia 30 years ago. Imam Neimarlija also explained the types of charities in Islam. He mentioned: "According to Islam, charity (Sadaqah) is more than just giving money to the people in need. In Islam, charity is an essential part of life and has two dimensions. The mandatory one (Zakah) and the optional one (sadaqah). The mandatory one (Zakah) is defined as the rights of the poor people within the wealth of rich ones". Imam Neimarlija also gave examples from Prophet Mohammad’s life (Peace be upon him) and his righteous Khalifahs.
The program ended after an authentic Oud concert by Syrian musician Ahmad Alkhlef while enjoying traditional Turkish meals after sunset.
9th Annual Community Ramadan Dinner
CNY RISE Center cordially invites you to the 9th Annual Community Ramadan Dinner.
Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.
275 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13207
Muslims across the globe will be celebrating the holy month of Ramadan and will be fasting from dawn until dusk. Ramadan is not only about abstaining from food, it is also about charity, building character, and understanding.
Iftar dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. after a presentation on "Ramadan & Charity" by Imam Muris Neimarlija who is the Head Imam of Majlis 3 Northeast - The Islamic Community of North American Bosniaks.
Live Music: Syrian Oud Musician - Ahmad Alkhlef
Note: We will also collect hygiene products, diapers, and baby food for the war victims in Ukraine. We will be glad if you can bring some donation items to the event and all the donations will be delivered to Ukrainian National Home in Syracuse.
Please RSVP by April 4th at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Free admission.
Proof of vaccination is required.
Ramadan Dinner at Fay Road Baptist Church
CNY RISE Center and Fay Road Baptist Church organized another Ramadan Dinner together for the third time on May 14, 2019.
The theme of the event was "United Against Violence". More than 30 members of the Muslim and Christian community got together at the church cafeteria to observe this special night.
The event started with the Quran recitation from Imam Gultekin Bibar and CNY RISE Center board president Tim Saka made a presentation on the meaning of Ramadan and fasting. He also emphasized the significance of non-violent reaction against violence by showing examples from Quran and the Sufi dervishes.
After the sunset, the guests performed the Maghrib prayer and they all enjoyed a homemade Turkish dinner. The event was concluded with strong wishes to get together for another Ramadan dinner next year.
CNY RISE Center Hosted the 6th Annual Community Ramadan Dinner
CNY RISE Center hosted a Ramadan Dinner for diverse members of the community on Thursday, May 9, 2019. There were about 110 guests including members of the Interfaith Works, Zen Center, Unity Church, Bethany House, and other communities.
The theme of the event was "United Against Violence". Dinner started with a Quran recitation about Ramadan and board president Tim Saka invited everyone to pray for one another while reminding about the recent terrorist attacks in numerous religious temples. He emphasized that a non-violence is the best approach to tackle hatred. A special Turkish meal was served while listening to call to prayer (azan).
Rev. Suzi Hariff from Fay Road Baptist Church delivered a powerful speech on the meaning of love and the unique non-violent approach of Jesus toward oppression.
CNY RISE Center board member and one of the leaders of the Zen Center, Bonnie Shoultz, thanked the members for this special and invited all the guests to take a deep breath and feel the connection among our souls.
Interfaith Works President, Beth Broadway, made some closing remarks. She said that we need to do a better job reaching to our youth and prevent them from becoming a prey of the extremists. She emphasized that the hatred cannot resolve hatred, only love is the solution.
A the end of the event, all the guests picked up their small gift boxes with small sweet treats.
Seeking to Build Interfaith Bridge: Muslims and Jews prepare a Ramadan Dinner together
As a three year tradition, the Muslim members of the CNY RISE Center and the Jewish members of the Beth Sholom Chevra Shas started the day shop kosher and halal items for the dinner on Tuesday, May 7. Then they came together at the kosher kitchen of the synagogue to prepare a rich meal including fish, vegetables, couscous, and a traditional Turkish halva so both Jewish and Muslim guests can enjoy the Ramadan Dinner together.
Jonathan Levine, Mathematics Professor from Colgate University, mentioned that as the Beth Sholom community, they always learn more about the Islamic traditions and culture while preparing a special Ramadan Dinner. Surprise to most of the participants of the event, they always discover new practices and terminology that are common to both faith traditions. The members of the CNY RISE Center - Women Club were asking about the details of the kosher cooking including the kosher signs to pay attention on the product packages or the designated pots for the dairy items.
There were total of 50 guests from both communities and Imam Gultekin Bibar started evening program with a recitation on Holy Quran on the topic of fasting and Ramadan. The event continued with a presentation on "United Against Violence" by Tim Saka, board president of CNY RISE Center. Mr. Saka highlighted the recent attacks in synagogues, mosques, or churches and he called everyone to pray for one another and stand against violence. Mr. Saka has mentioned about the Medina agreement signed between Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the Jewish tribes of Medina. It was an example of early Muslims and Jews forming a community together, respecting each other’s faith traditions and living peacefully together. It was sad but necessary that there was a police officer from Dewitt Police Department was securing the safety of the event participants.
Rabbi Pepperstone from Beth Sholom was not present at the event due a rabbinic gathering in Canada. However, he wrote a beautiful letter to recognize this meaningful gathering and Jonathan Levine read the letter for all guests. Rabbi Pepperstone mentioned that he was together with more than 100 rabbis in the North America and none of them were hosting a similar Ramadan Dinner at their synagogues.
Then it was the time for the Maghrib prayer for Jewish tradition and all the Muslim guests joined in their prayers while reading selected passages from the Holy Book. Following the Jewish prayer, Muslim guests performed their Maghrib prayer which ended with the chanting the names of Allah right after the sunset.
Jewish hosts let the Muslim guests to receive their dinner first because they were fasting starting with the sunrise. Since the Jews also fast during the Yom Kippur they were able to relate to the fasting of the Muslims. While enjoying the rich menu of the dinner, everyone was asking questions about each other's faith tradition and they all agreed that it was one of the most special night of the year for them.
Finally, Robert Tornberg from Beth Sholom reminded everyone that there will be a day long dialog event on June 9 at the synagogue. There will 60 members from Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faith traditions and there will be workshops throughout the day to learn from one another. The Ramadan Dinner concluded with the promise together at the next event.
3rd Annual Syracuse Ramadan Dinner
Islamic Council of Greater Syracuse and Syracuse University cordially invite you to a Ramadan Dinner which will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 7:00pm at Manley Field House 1301 East Colvin Street Syracuse, NY 13210.
Muslims across the globe will be celebrating the holy month of Ramadan and will be fasting from dawn until dusk. Ramadan is not only about abstaining from food, it is also about charity, building character, and understanding.
Iftar will be served after a short presentation. If you would like to join us for dinner Please RSVP.
You do not have to be Muslim to attend. We encourage everyone with all different beliefs and backgrounds to attend.
This is a FREE EVENT but please, you must RSVP by May 13, 2019 by clicking here.
If you have any questions or concerns please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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