Rising Tide International and Abrahamic Reunion Co-Sponsored a Multi-Faith Ramadan Iftar Peace Dinner & Event, March 6th, 2025, with over 40 attendees coming from across the city.
After a Qu’ran recitation and call to prayer by Abd Manasra, AR Israeli Programs Director, Sheikh Ghassan led the Muslims in the evening prayer before everyone broke the fast with water, dates, and soup.
After another round of prayers, traditional Palestinian dinner was served, prepared by the Manasra /Bagdadi family, including fatoush, maqlubeh, friki, baba ghanoush, and delicious traditional sweets.
Once everyone had a chance to eat to their heart’s content, prayers for peace and presentations by some of the leaders gathered were offered.
Chris Miller, AR Operations Director, MC’d and opened the night, welcoming everyone to Rising Tide and discussing how the light of connection understanding can reduce the darkness of misunderstanding, fear, and tension in the world.
Sheikh Ghassan Manasra shared the work and philosophy of the Abrahamic Reunion. He also discussed AR’s role during the time of the conflict in Gaza, how the AR works to make peace and build peace while fighting for the truth and reconciliation, not for any one side, but acknowledging all.
Rev. Bob Griffiths of St. Boniface Episcopal Church, Siesta Key, sharing that “We are all brothers and sisters in the Almighty’s Eyes,” and to “Make haste to gladden the hearts of others for we know not how long we have to live on this green earth.” He encouraged everyone gathered to do something nice to someone else they meet, once a day, and exhorted the value of building kindness into our world to create harmony between all people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Abd Manasra discussed the Young Peacebuilders programming, and how the Iftar at Rising Tide was the opening of programming in Sarasota again by the Abrahamic Reunion. From 2016-2019, AR organized regular text studies, holiday events, concerts, and interfaith panel presentations in the community, and will begin again to do so. Abd later offered traditional Arabic oud music and hymns with his family singing along, including a few songs by Sheikh Ghassan.
Children ran and played around the tables as everyone met each other for the first time, and many stayed into the night talking, laughing, and discussing. Attendees came from the ISSB (Sarasota Mosque), Rising Tide International, St. Boniface Episcopal Church, and the Sarasota area.
More Photos from the Event:
