On February 26, 2026, Pacifica Institute welcomed friends and partners from across Orange County to our 20th Annual OC Interfaith Iftar Dinner at our Lake Forest headquarters. The evening gathered community members for a meaningful program rooted in Ramadan’s spirit of reflection, compassion, and togetherness.
Remembering Cherished Community Builders
The program began with a moment of silence in remembrance of two cherished members of our wider community: Tom Thorkelson, a respected interfaith pioneer, and Fatih Ateş, a former Pacifica Institute representative who served the San Diego, San Fernando Valley, and Bay Area regions. Tom’s wife, Sheela, joined us and shared heartfelt words, noting that Tom was a steadfast advocate of interfaith dialogue and community friendship.
OC Around the Table: Looking Back—and Ahead
A special highlight of the evening was the screening of the OC Around the Table (OCAT) 2025 recap video, followed by the announcement of this year’s event date: September 27, 2026.
Former Fountain Valley Mayor Ted Bui, a member of the OCAT organizing committee, shared that 10 cities are expected to participate in 2026 and encouraged the broader interfaith community to join. He also noted the strong community momentum behind the initiative, including broad participation at the OCAT kickoff.
Kelly Frankiewicz, President of the Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council (GHBIC), shared that more than 20 faith traditions are represented within GHBIC and announced that GHBIC plans to participate in OCAT this year in an effort to help break a world record.
OCAT Organizing Committee Chair Dr. Cuneyt Tegin emphasized how vital it is for communities to come together—sharing a motto he remembers from Kentucky: “United We Stand, Divided We Fall.”
A Remarkably Diverse Gathering
This year’s OC Interfaith Iftar reflected the beauty of Orange County’s diversity. Guests represented more than 16 countries and a wide range of faith and cultural traditions—an inspiring reminder of what is possible when we meet one another with openness and respect.
Reflections from the Table
During the reflection session, each table shared takeaways from the evening.
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Father Patrick Okonkwo, Catholic priest and chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital, reflected: “I see here the beauty of humanity. I see love, kindness, I see hope—let us make the world a better place.”
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Charlie Niederman of Temple Beth David and an OCIN board member, shared that he has had the privilege of collaborating with Pacifica Institute for more than 20 years, and described this gathering as one of the most positive interfaith experiences in our community.
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Gary Goodman, President of ICGSOC, said that when he walked into the room his heart opened because “this is family—we are all family.”
Several guests also highlighted a long-standing example of sustained dialogue: a weekly Bible and Qur’an study that has continued for more than seven years, gathering every Friday night at Pacifica for scripture reading, learning from one another, and building genuine bonds—not to convert, but to connect.
Gratitude
We are grateful to every guest, partner, and volunteer who made this milestone evening possible. For two decades, the OC Interfaith Iftar has been more than a dinner—it has been a space to listen, learn, and strengthen the relationships that make our communities resilient.
We look forward to continuing this tradition and welcoming even more friends in the years ahead.
#RamadanUnites
