Memphis Interfaith hosts "Ramadan: A Time of Unity and Healing" virtual event | Opinion
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we've all experienced the chaos and uncertainty that the virus brought in our lives. But hopefully with a space of healing and unity, we can gain back peace.
On April 18th, leaders of several different religious communities in Memphis will come together to speak on unity and healing at Memphis Interfaith 14th Annual Interfaith event.
Like previous years, the free event is being hosted during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, when Muslims observe a fast from sunrise to sunset. For nearly a decade and a half, clergy, politicians, and Memphians have gathered to participate in interfaith discussions to bridge gaps and reflect on subjects and issues affecting the Memphis community.
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This year’s theme is “Ramadan: A Time for Unity and Healing.” The event organizers and speakers hope to use this event as a means to bring together the city after a tumultuous year of loss and difficulty.
“Everybody has been affected to some degree by the events that have been transpired in the past year. This annual event will allow our city’s religious leaders to create a space of mutual healing, reflection, and recentering, all of which are much needed during the pandemic” said Abdullah Elahi, a Muslim youth helping to plan the event.
Local clergy including Rabbi Micah Greenstein, Dr. Stacy Spencer, Bishop Talley, and Imam Faqih will be speaking at the event.
“For over a decade, the Interfaith Dinner and Program sponsored by the Memphis Muslim community has been a hopeful ray of light no matter what darkness our city, nation, and world have faced. We have a beautiful tapestry of faith in Memphis, and the Iftar during Ramadan is interfaith at its very best!” said Rabbi Greenstein, a longtime attendee and speaker at the annual program.
This year, Memphis Interfaith plans to continue its tradition of raising funds for MIFA and local food banks & pantries. “We highly encourage all our attendees to give what they can.
The need for these funds are much more pressing considering the events of the past year including the pandemic”, says Imam Rashad Sharif, a local Imam at Masjid Al-Mu'minun.
The virtual program will be a free event hosted on Zoom. Details to donate or register for the event can be found at https://www.memphisinterfaith.org/
Zahra Chowdhury is a native Memphian and a junior at Pleasant View School. She is a youth organizer who is passionate about writing, juvenile & criminal justice reform, and activism through interfaith.