On May 14, 2019, Muslim Americans for Compassion, in partnership with Interfaith Paths to Peace, hosted the ninth-annual Interfaith Iftar dinner at Second Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Nearly 500 people attended the event, which featured messages of compassion and blessings from many of Louisville’s civic, faith, and community leaders.
“We host this event every year to give our community a chance to understand people from other faith traditions,” said MAC board member Waqar Saleem. “A we better understand one another, we realize that we share the same goals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Abdul-Munim Sombat Jitmoud, who, in 2017, hugged the murderer of his son in a Kentucky courtroom. Jitmoud’s act of compassion in the midst of such a deep personal struggle was featured on the National Geographic Channel’s “The Story of God with Morgan Freeman.”
Other speakers were Spalding University President Tori Murden McClure, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, Muslim Americans for Compassion President Muhammad Babar, Interfaith Paths to Peace Executive Director Haleh Karimi, Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear, Catherine Osborn, Executive Director of Shoulder to Shoulder, and Azhar Azeez, Vice President of Community Affairs and Alliances for Islamic Relief .
“This event reminds us of our need to live out the ideals of compassion,” said Mayor Fischer, who has attended every MAC/IPP Interfaith Iftar since its inception. “It reflects what we see as a definition of Louisville – that is a city that respect for each and every one of our citizens to their full potential.”
This is the third year that Russell Cox, president and CEO of Norton Healthcare, has attended. “The inclusive spirit of this event is consistent with the values of Norton Healthcare,” said Cox. “It’s a wonderful event, and we are happy to be part of it.”
Plans for the 2020 Interfaith Iftar (celebrating the event’s 10th anniversary) are already underway. Watch the MAC website for details.
