Holy Blossom Temple in Canada was the center of religious harmony and inter-faith relationship, when the Jews hosted an Iftar dinner for fasting Muslims. The Holy Blossom Temple is the oldest synagogue in Canada and is situated in Toronto.
According to Rabbi Michael Satz, Holy Blossom’s Associate Rabbi, “I believe that true inter-religious dialogue happens when people study together and, of course, eat together.”
Muneeb Nasir, Executive Director of the Cordoba Centre for Civic Engagement and Leadership, also taught about fasting on the occasion, since it pertained to both religions.
‘This Iftar brings us together tonight for greater understanding and spiritual awareness, and to build relationships.”, he said. He added that, ‘The primary purpose of fasting in Islam is to achieve greater consciousness of God, prioritizing God in one’s life to achieve greater spiritual awareness.’
The Iftar dinner was co-sponsored by the Inter-cultural Dialogue Institute which is a non-profit organization that aims to promote religious harmony and inter-faith cooperation among different religions. Speaking on the occasion, Rabbi Dow Marmur said:-
‘The spirituality of eating with people across religious divides goes much further than is normally offered at interfaith gatherings.’ Adding that ‘As what we eat and how we eat reflects both culture and religion, the Inter-cultural Dialogue Institute seems well suited to show us the way.’
‘The spirituality of eating with people across religious divides goes much further than is normally offered at interfaith gatherings.’
