Interfaith Iftar emphasized unity and understanding in Hanover Park
The Verandah Retirement Community welcomed more than 80 people to its first annual iftar celebration on Monday, April 25th, 2022.
The event was organized by Dr. Anuja Gupta, Dr. Suresh Reddy and Ashfaq Hussain Syed and joined the members of the many faiths community from the Chicago area.
The evening was included with a dialogue-based discussion between Finnish spiritual leaders, including Swami Ishatmananda Minister-in-Charge Vivek Anda Vedanta Society of Chicago, Gursharanjit Singh and Surinder pal Singh Kalra Palatine Gurdwara, Pastor Larry Bullock and Azam Nizamuddin.
Physician & Real Estate Entrepreneur Dr. Anuja Gupta welcomed all the guests and shared her experience of Ramadan back in Mumbai, India, she said "I am an interfaith person. In Mumbai I breakfast with Muslim community." Where she grows up. Neuro Interventional Radiologist Dr. Suresh Reddy shared his experience of Iftar in Hyderabad, India. He said, I live in a neighborhood where many faith communities live. We have a big unity over there.
The main purpose is today gathering to know each other and have other people know you," Ashfaq Hussain Syed said.
Speakers of the event conveyed that all the religions have similar teachings regarding the importance of peace and justice. Swami Ishatmananda highlighted his belief in humanity. He said, "All faiths believe concepts with the same openness and love for others make us much closer to each other. the name would be different, but the meaning is the same."
Surinder pal Singh Kalra from Palatine Gurdwara emphasizes that the love of God is the highest goal of humanity. God dwells within the human heart. Pastor Larry Bullock pointed out that Jesus teaches us how to see that God lives in all of us.
The Keynote speaker was Azam Nazimuddin, a representative of the Islamic faith and renown interfaith Leader emphasized that we should focus on the unity and understanding in our society rather than things on the differences that separate us. We need to take care of each other unconditionally.
Dr. Anuja Gupta and Dr. Suresh Reddy thanked all those in attendance for participating in this event to strengthen peace and harmony, tolerance and respect and equality among all sections of civil society. A variety of Iftar and dinner arrangements were made to the delight of the participants.
The program was totally well organized, prestigious, and enjoyed by the attendees and will be remembered. A sumptuous dinner was served for all after Maghreb Prayer.