It has already been a tradition in Fairfax, Virginia that local people enjoy Ramadan Tent every year during the month of Ramadan. American Turkish Friendship Association (ATFA) has launched its 3 days Ramadan Tent Iftaar Series on August 9, 2012. Around 500 hundred people came to the Iftaar including not only Turkic Americans but also from other communities in Fairfax.
A big tent has been settled up in a field which is across the street of City of Fairfax Regional Library that is dedicated for Ramadan Dinner. Local people see the Iftaar in tent as an opportunity to come together with each other. Thus, many people came half an hour earlier to the fast breaking.
Evening has got started with the Athan, call to prayer as people took their food. The dinner included traditional Turkish cuisine.
The event was free and opened to the public. Moreover, there was an acrobat show for kids and entertainment. At the end of the dinner, ATFA staff served traditional cotton candy for the kids.
The event’s purpose was to raise awareness about the importance of interfaith and intercultural dialogue in the society, especially in Fairfax, Virginia –said Ahmet Ilhan, Executive Director of ATFA. As he mentioned, these kinds of events are an opportunity for reaching out to the people who lives in the same city with you.
“Everybody is here for positive impact and we can invite more people around so that we can increase fellowship between different religions and cultures “says Jim Zanotti, member of Congressional Research Service.
Halil Yilmaz, Turkish Chief of Police Officer expresses “It feels like one of the Ramadan nights in Sultanahmet area in Istanbul. During the days in the United States, unfortunately we cannot feel that we are in Ramadan. However, this tent, this atmosphere, and this gathering provide us and help us to feel the spirit of Ramadan. We appreciate that we are here tonight”
Esma Salamah, one of the attendees explained that this was a great opportunity for her to know people who share the same culture. This was the first time she had been in a Ramadan tent. She is glad to be part of this special night which ATFA held. As Ramadan Tent is open to the guests that will continue to serve to the local people in Fairfax on August 10th and 11th.
