USINT recognizes Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan with Iftar Dinner

Official residence of the Chief of Mission

On Friday, 3 September, 2010, USINT Chief of Mission Jonathan Farrar and Mrs. Terry Farrar hosted an Iftar dinner to mark the breaking of the daily fast during the Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan.  They were joined by representatives of foreign missions and religious organizations, including leaders from the Muslim, Christian and Hebrew faiths. 

Ramadan is the ninth month in the lunar-based Islamic calendar and is considered one of the most holy.  During Ramadam, devout Muslims fast during daylight hours, and the Iftar dinner is taken just after sunset, usually together with other members of the community. 

USINT Chief of Mission Jonathan Farrar welcomed guests to the Iftar dinner, and invited those that wished to partake in sunset prayer.  In keeping with tradition, dates were the first food served, followed by many typical middle-eastern dishes. 

Currently, more than an estimated seven million Muslims live and work in the United States.  Cities with large Muslim populations include the Washington/Baltimore metropolitan area, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The 10 states with the largest Muslim populations are California, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Indiana, Michigan, Virginia, Texas, Ohio, and Maryland.