Local Organizations Host Iftaar; Mayor, City Officials Attend

From left:  Rahman Moton, Sherriff Adrian Garcia, Hashim Badat and Mayor Anisse Parker

From left: Rahman Moton, Sherriff Adrian Garcia, Hashim Badat and Mayor Anisse Parker

By Parth Dwivedi

HOUSTON: Municipal and State representatives provided a notable presence at an iftaar celebration, held at Stafford Centre on Wednesday, July 24, where the tightly scheduled event showcased the 1000-strong community.

As guests were arriving, a reserved participant, withholding his name, explained his support of this particular iftaar, “It’s a good thing because it will increase awareness in a ‘Bible-Belt’ state, where it’s needed,” he said, referring to the informal collection of states in the southeastern and south-central U.S.

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett (center-right) and Harris County Justice of the Peace Russ Ridgway (far left) mix with community leaders.

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett (center-right) and Harris County Justice of the Peace Russ Ridgway (far left) mix with community leaders.

He had picked up on a key aspect of the event, which was organized by the Islamic Society of Greater Houston alongside 24 other organizations, as Radio Houston host and President of Myanmar American Chamber of Commerce, Rahman Moton noted that the dinner was meant to be inclusive of a multitude of demographics in order “to demonstrate peace and civility.”

A pamphlet that was circulated beforehand noted that Ramadan is as much an exercise in compassion, humility and retrospection, as it is in discipline, pointing out that America’s history of Islamic consideration goes as far back as 1805 when Thomas Jefferson observed Ramadan during a visit to the White House of a Tunisian envoy.

Among the special guests present was Mayor Annise Parker, who lauded Houstonians’ spiritual and cultural diversity. Parker called for engagement on the part of the greater community, and went on to say, “Let us not join tonight just to commemorate this year, but also lean on each other everyday of the coming years.”

ISGH President Hashim Badat addresses all in attendance to speak about the evening. Photos: Parth Dwivedi

ISGH President Hashim Badat addresses all in attendance to speak about the evening. Photos: Parth Dwivedi

Sherriff Adrian Garcia was also present, joking about starting a cricket team and shaking hands with enthusiastic fans. Jokes aside, Garcia underscored his role to protect all of Harris County, rather than just a portion of it. In solidarity with the community, he assured, “If anyone wants to harm someone in Harris County, they’ll have to go through me, first.”

Texas House Representative Gene Wu, of District 137, which includes the Mahatma Gandhi District, echoed that sentiment. Wu recounted a time when he saw fellow representatives leave the legislative chamber in protest upon the presence of an invited Imam, stating that he wanted to show the politically underrepresented Muslim community that he and others like him, love them. He also stated that he will fight for their respect and recognition at the state level.

Amongst those who spoke were Taslim Siddiqui, president of PAGH, who expressed interest in bridging the Pakistan-U.S. culture gap; Hashim Badat, president of ISGH, who explained his intent to organize this event as a push toward diversification; Rev. Greg Han, faculty at St. Johns School; Rev. Kimberly Orr of Windsor Village United Methodist Church; Judge Ed Emmett, of Harris County; and Imam Isa Parada, Youth Coordinator of ISGH. Instrumental in coordination was Fuad Cochinwala, Vice President of ISGH and chairperson of the evening’s organizing committee.

Notable guests included Consul General of Pakistan, Mohammad Aqil Nadeem; Consul General of Turkey, Cemalettin Aydyn; President of Interfaith Ministries, Elliot Gerhsenson; Executive Assistant Chief of HPD, Michael Dirden; Metro Chief of Police, Victor Rodriguez; Chief Service Officer for the City of Houston, Katherine Price; Division Manager for the City of Houston, Terence O’Neill; Justice of the peace for Harris County, Russ Ridgway; Mayor Pro Tempore and Councilmember for the City of Houston, Ed Gonzalez; Tax Assessor for Harris County, Mike Sullivan; and Council member for the City of Sugar Land, Harish Jajoo. Proclamations were also sent from the offices of Congressional representatives Sheila Jackson Lee, Al Green and Peter Olson.

Wrapping up the program and ushering in the evening prayer before breaking fast, Rahman Moton offered a vote of thanks, joking, “I am sorry if I have forgotten anyone. I am just very hungry.” His joviality was typical of the evening, which seemed to indicate increasingly warm relations between the mainstream and Muslim communities.