"Pi Green Taste of Ramadan
and a Fundraiser/Silent Arts Auction, a 7th glimpse", 2017
Date: Friday June 16th at 6:30pm-10:15pm (Program starts at 7pm sharp)
Silent Arts and Crafts Auction-Open House starts 5-7pm.
Place: IPFW Walb International Ballroom, Fort Wayne, IN
Speakers/Dinner Event - 6:30pm-10:15pm
The FORUM called, 'Green Taste and Reflection in Ramadan', will convene again this year with a Fundraiser/Silent ArtnCrafts Auction. The vision and mission of the PiFoundation is: S.E.A.K. - www.pifdn.org
As always, we celebrate our stewardship through green and sustainable action through bridge building and seeking common ground through a fast breaking(iftar) event and its many projects. (In one word sustainability can be called 'balance' or in arabic al Mizan-The Balance). Part of Sustainability is building our communty's towards what is healthy, grateful and thankful to God; and seeking common ground in society not war while still maintaining our unique flavour. Hence, it is a fast-breaking evening of Muslims, and non Muslims, sharing a multicultural fast breaking(Iftar), multicultural dinner with speaking venues of diversity, inclusivity and sustainability. It is food for the mind by our speaker; food for the palette by our multicultural dinner; and food for the spirit by the thought invoking socially conscious Islamic Art exmplifying the diversity of the community. The forum reflects a grassroots event which is part of our society, with speakers and attending guests, who give their time to learn and voice from and with each other. *This years we are adding a fundraising aspect to support specifically the Scholarship program and other works.
The FORUM's purpose is to give a glimpse and a sound to share in an 'Iftar (fast breaking) with Muslims and non-Muslims and see the beauty and purpose of Ramadan (fasting) and enjoy a wonderful multicultural dinner and to build bridges and see common ground through various topics, as this is a time for self reflection, through the Muslims' celebrated month called Ramadan (month of fasting) amongst community's. It reminds each of us of the beauty of Islam and of, 'what is Ramadan' or fasting which is common to all faiths, its bodily, reflective and spiritual purpose and potent value in society, while reminding that the diversity of your food, comes the diversity of 'we' the people and the safeguarding of our environment and its people. We all are essentially the ‘Taste of Ramadan’ reflecting each of our unique tonal attributes. And… it is through the architecture and tastes of our foods we take a glimpse this evening into the diversity of ourselves and our individual faiths to see our similarities not our differences.
There are a significant number of Muslim children in our school system and Muslim adults in our communities, universities and professions making bridge building an important venue. Then reflect on the spiritual concept of fasting common to all faiths. It is an overflowing gathering of about 200-300 people, with a delicious multicultural home cooked dinner, two or three vibrant and thought provoking speakers reflecting diversity, sustainability and humanity within community, alongside is a unique Islamic art, a letter or attendance by the Mayor, and an interfaith gathering with civic engagement.
So, what is this Ramadan?
Well Ramadan is a month of fasting for Muslims. There are basically five pillars in Islam: Shahhada (oneness of God), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity), Saum (fasting) and Hajj (the pilgrimage). Today we are celebrating the fourth pillar, called Saum or fasting which is the present month of which we share a taste called Ramadan. And we will journey through a few perspectives, from sharing a view of fasting by various speakers, which is common to all faiths and philosophies. Essentially, Ramadan or the month of fasting is a spiritual and physically intense 30 days of reflection, sharing, giving, supplication and a self building.
So, join the movement and initiatives by many similar minds. Please be part of the voice in your community. So make your sacred spaces, as Masjids (Mosques), Churches, Synagogues, Guwara's, Temples, Community centers more green and share in a common ground that unites us!
"Green Taste of Ramadan and a Fundraiser with Silent Auction"
Theme:
"Spiritual reflection and action - Hope, Resilience, Sustainability of our Environments"
Speakers:
Hoosier Environmental Council
"Environmental Stewardship as an Expression of Faith in Action"
Dr. Mahan Mirza PhD
KROC Institute of Peace Studies, Notre Dame University
"Ramadan as a Sustainable Source for Stewardship"
This years The Pen and Inkpot Foundation scholarship -TBA Click here
The Pi Foundation thanks everyone for their participation, support and sponsorship.
Especially thank you to all of the people who have made this possible each year!
Shahnaz Mirza, Vice President, Board Member
Dr. Faisal Mirza MD, FRCS - Board Member
Shariq Siddiqui JD, PhD - Advisory Board
Dr. Saad Ghazali, MD and Dr. Shazia Ghazali MD - Advisory Board
Dr. Faruq and Asima Adhami - Advisory Board