Pacifica Institute Hosts Episcopalian Dicoese for Iftar Dinner
Pacifica Institute hosted the members of the Episcopalian Diocese of Los Angeles for a fast breaking dinner on September 10th, 2009. A brief information about the month of fasting and Ramadan was presented before dinner. The month of fasting continues for a month and according to solar calendar, each year the start of the month of fasting shifts back 11 days. People who are able to fast except the pregnant, children and the sick, do so from an hour and a half before sun rises until the sun goes down. Fasting not only involves abstaining from eating and drinking but also consists of behavioral, social and spirtiual dimension where everyone is encouraged to share their meal, increase self control and give oneself to more reading of the book of the universe. Afterwards the food is served. Then the video clip of the Anatolian Cultures and Food Festival was shown and the guests were informed that the Festival next year will be held from the 6th to the 9th of May, 2010. After dinner, Dr Guibord thanked Pacifica Institute and its members for extending the dinner invitation to them and gave background information how the interfaith efforts were initiated in Turkey and now here since 2003. A person from each dinner table made remarks about the iftar meal and stressed on eradicating poverty and the importance of dialog and coming together to gather in Los Angeles.