UPDATE: This report was updated at 8:30 am on April 12 to correct or modify errors in the original feature.

* * * * *

Aisha Khan, her husband and two children, were among the fresh faces to Edmond Town Hall that joined the Al Hedaya Islamic Center and their guests for Sharing Ramadan on March 26.

She explained that the fasting period for the days of Ramadan was “dawn til dusk,” with “no water, no food, nothing.” At the end of the day, the fast would be broken.

Al Hedaya invited local Muslims and people of all faiths to break fasts during the first weekend of Ramadan.

Before the fast would be broken, all guests congregated in the Alexandria Room on the top floor of Edmond. The room was nearly spilling out as guests such as Aisha continued to arrive to hear speakers open the event with information about Ramadan observance and words to commemorate the holiday.

Children from the Al Hedaya Center sang a special song for those gathered, with lyrics that illustrated some of the values explored during Ramadan such as service, empathy, and spirituality.

Director of Al Hedaya Center Eman Beshtawii elaborated on these values in conversation with The Newtown Bee.

“It’s the spirit of Ramadan, it’s the spirit of our faith,” she said of the shared event.

Beshtawii said Ramadan “charges” a practitioner “for the whole year” with “self-discipline, humility, and kindness,” and they can find themselves “more humble, more generous, more compassionate, with even more stay in [their] worship.

“You will discover yourself, see where you can improve yourself,” she added, expressing that the mind becomes more attuned while fasting.

During the March event notable attendees were recognized and thanked for attending. Among them were US Senator Richard Blumenthal, State Senator Julie Kushner, Newtown First Selectman Dan Rosenthal and his family, New Fairfield Selectman Khris Hall, Newtown Superintendent of Schools Christopher Melillo, Danbury Superintendents of Schools Kevin Walston, representatives of the Newtown Police Dept, Newtown Congregational Church Senior Pastor Matthew Crebbin, Trinity Episcopal Church Reverend Andrea Castner Wyatt, and Love Has A Home Here Founder Bill Donaldson.

A prayer concluded the service in the Alexandria Room, and guests descended the flights to the building’s gymnasium, where long tables were equipped to seat the crowd. Those from Al Hedaya made way for guests, who sat first.

Empathetic Themes

Ramadan decorations adorned the space, along with personal belongings carried from Pakistan by Wedyan Nasrat. These transformed their designated wall with a sacred feel, and premised the direction of a pre-meal prayer for attendees, which offered a still moment of reverence for those involved.

“I wanted to bring home here,” Nasrat said as she explained the purpose for each item to The Newtown Bee. One, a ceramic jug, is to “keep the water cold and clean”; another served as “a place for arabic coffee”; and figurines she described to be very old.

At the breaking of the fast, members of the Muslim community were directed to eat second. Despite the volume of attendees, the operation was very organized.

The crowd rose in segments to be served a multitude of hot food by Al Hedaya members and helped themselves to an array of desserts spread on a separate table.

A common factor was the welcoming attitude of the Al Hedaya Center hosts, who encouraged all guests to not only eat first but also enjoy seconds. There was plenty of food and water to go around, and the atmosphere was warm and friendly. Every table group comprised people of many faiths in conversation with one another.

During the meal, Shamim Ansari of Al Hedaya introduced the inaugural Dr Gulraiz Ansari Humanitarian Award. Named in honor of Shaheem Ansari’s late wife, who recently succumbed to cancer, the award was presented to 39 community members.

“This is coming from my heart,” Ansari said. “We were together for 41 years.”

Ansari said his wife was “loved by everybody,” especially her grandchildren Waqas and Ramiza Ansari-Johnston. He said that no matter how sick she was, she would make them food if asked.

Those who received awards were health care professionals, caregivers, and volunteers who, despite risks inherent, worked through the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Kushner assisted with the distribution of the awards as each recipient was called up one by one and received a certificate.

Rabiya Ansari-Johnston, Ansari’s daughter, was one of the award recipients as well. The award seemed timely, a continuation of empathetic themes exemplified during the event.

“Ramadan brings us together. “It opens so many doors to our hearts,” Beshtawii said.

“When we sit together and eat food, we are all the same,” she continued. “We eat together, we love each other.”

Reporter Noelle Veillette can be reached at noelle@thebee.com.