Mormons, Muslims break the fast in Southern California (Mormon "interfaith outreach)

Mormon Times ^ | October 10, 2010 | Barbara Evans Openshaw

[greyfoxx39]

 

In Costa Mesa, Calif., Mormons were invited to break the fast with area Muslims during Ramadan. Southern California Latter-day Saints participated in at least 10 different interfaith iftars (break-the-fasts) throughout the area.

Mormons and Muslims in Southern California recently broke the fast together at several events scheduled during Ramadan.

Ramadan is a 30-day religious period during which Muslims fast from before sunrise to about sunset. It is a common Muslim practice to invite people of other faiths to join them in an interfaith iftar, or fast-breaking dinner, one evening during Ramadan. Southern California Latter-day Saints participated in at least 10 different interfaith iftars throughout the area.

Sabiha Quidwai, Islamic Society of Orange County (ISOC) executive assistant, explained that Ramadan is "a month of increased blessings and spiritual upliftment," and it is "the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and it is the month when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk each day." She said, "The iftar, or fast breaking, takes place at sunset."

Besides these events, the Garden Grove, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach and Temecula stakes offered to host special break the fast events with their Muslim neighbors who in turn invited the LDS members to hold the event at the local mosques.

At the iftars, both Muslim and LDS leaders spoke at a brief service, after which the Muslims participated in evening prayers. Following the evening prayer, the groups met together for a meal, provided by the Muslims. There were members of other faiths at each of the dinners also, along with city officials.

In keeping with Muslim tradition, the call to prayer occurred at the time that the sun set that evening. Participants then broke their fasts with dates, bread or other simple items, before proceeding to evening prayer.

The LDS visitors were invited to observe the prayers. LDS women who attended wore head scarves, consistent with Muslim dress standards for women. After the evening prayer, the groups shared a large meal together. The dinners featured traditional Muslim foods such as lamb, couscous, rice and dates. About two dozen LDS members from each of the four stakes attended the events.

At each event, a member of the stake presidency addressed the group.

David Price, second counselor in the Garden Grove Stake presidency, told members assembled at the ISOC that LDS members believe that fasting helps members become more dependent on spiritual things, provides them with inspiration and helps members conquer challenges. He also discussed the role that fast offerings play in the LDS Church.

Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, religious director of the ISOC, reminded the audience that Jesus was fasting when he received some revelations. He related that Muslims believe fasting helps them appreciate God's gifts, including food and water, and inspires them to use such gifts carefully. He also noted that Muslims appreciate the opportunity they have to fast willingly, while many people in the world are forced to go without food.

President Weatherford Clayton of the Newport Beach Stake, President Mike Zundel of the Mission Viejo Stake, and Larry Slusser, second counselor in the Temecula Stake presidency, also addressed Muslims and Mormons assembled at mosques in their areas.

"From my perspective, I think it is a remarkable event when a stake president of the church is given the opportunity to teach the principles of the gospel to those of the Muslim faith," commented Greg Briggs, second counselor in the Mission Viejo Stake presidency. "It was equally remarkable that many in the leadership of the church in Mission Viejo sat at dinner, in a mosque, with many of their Muslim neighbors and learned more about their faith."

Imam Yassir Fazaga of the Mission Viejo mosque, who participated in a church-sponsored tour of Salt Lake City earlier this year, spoke warmly of his visit and of what he had learned about the LDS Church, particularly the church's extensive humanitarian program.

"Do you know what we call the Mormons? We call them Muslim Christians because we have so much in common," said Imam Fazaga. "We only wish that we were as well organized for doing good as the Mormons."

The events came about as the result of outreach efforts by Steve Gilliland, who serves as the director of Muslim relations for the church's Public Affairs Council of Southern California, and Warren Inouye, who serves as the director of Muslim relations for the Orange County area.

"The dinners were important steps in an effort to introduce real Mormons to real Muslims so that the dialogue between the two faiths can proceed at a personal level," said Inouye, who noted that it was the first time that many of the LDS members had entered a mosque.

Gilliland noted that while numerous groups across the United States have recently been vocal in their opposition to Muslims, "We were privileged to break bread with our wonderful Muslim neighbors, reaffirming our commitment to allow all people 'to worship how, where, or what they may.'"

Mormons and Muslims share many practices and standards saidr Gilliland, including health codes, a focus on modesty, belief in the importance of family and an expectation that members will improve their lives as they live the teachings of their religion.

[greyfoxx39]

It's not difficult to ascertain where mormon leaders stand in regards to Islam and Christianity.

THE CHURCH of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints does not see itself as one Christian denomination among many, but rather as God's latter-day restoration of the fulness of Christian faith and practice. Thus, from its earliest days LDS Christians sought to distinguish themselves from Christians of other traditions. Other forms of Christianity, while bearing much truth and doing much good under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, are viewed as incomplete, lacking the authority of the priesthood of God, the temple ordinances, the comprehensive understanding of the Plan of Salvation, and the nonparadoxical understanding of the Godhead. Therefore, the designation "saint" reflects attachment to the New Testament church, and also designates a difference from Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant Christianity in the current dispensation.

Christians and Christianity

From Light Planet.com...on which this disclaimer appears...While this site is not an official site of the LDS Church, every effort has been made to ensure that it is consistent with official Church teachings.

[greyfoxx39]

Ping

[laweeks]

Isn’t that just so cute . . . they’d cut the mormons’ heads off in a minute . . . but since the mormons are not Christians, maybe they can get away with having their heads cut off last.

[troy McClure]

The South Park episode covering this will be EPIC!!!

[fishtank]

“In Costa Mesa, Calif., Mormons were invited to break the fast with area Muslims during Ramadan. Southern California Latter-day Saints participated in at least 10 different interfaith iftars (break-the-fasts) throughout the area.”

Now, isn’t that just PRECIOUS!

\sarc

You forgot the BARF alert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

[svcw]

Oh, for crying out loud. Will we have lds now tell us it means nothing? The lds are partnering more and more, get together are gathering steam with islamics. Well, I guess when Joesph Smith said he wanted to be the next mohammad, the current lds are trying to make that happen.

[dragonblustar]

Muslims and Mormons both have false prophets.

[fishtank]

“”Do you know what we call the Mormons? We call them Muslim Christians because we have so much in common,” said Imam Fazaga.”

Another “precious moment”..............

[greyfoxx39]

Since so many of the liberal media outlets are pimping Romney, this affinity to Islam by the mormon church and Obama's history are quite interesting.

"Steve Kornacki at Salon wrote a piece Monday titled "Mitt Romney and his five political lives" that details many of the things working against Romney's bid for the White House.

The very next day, however, Kornacki penned another article wherein he concludes Romney is still the favorite for the GOP nomination."

Deseret News

"Lib Media's Romney Swoon Commences.

Politico Goes All In With Four Front Page Articles

The liberal media have apparently decided it is time to launch their "safe pair of hands, moderate conservative Republicans best choice, the anti-Palin" candidate for the 2012 nomination. Having settled on Mitt Romney as their new McCain to oppose President Obama they will, until they see him safely nominated, give him an huge amount of positive coverage."

Link

[dragonblustar]

"Do you know what we call the Mormons? We call them Muslim Christians because we have so much in common,"

Muslim Christians

There, fixed.

[haywoodwebb]

Well! Isn't that special . . .

[lurk]

Why not? They have the same soteriology.

[svcw]

VOMIT

[Utah Binger]

Muslim Garments Are More Fashionable

[ejonesie22]

Cults of a feather...

[Utah Binger]

Paragon of Islamic Activism Defended

[dartuser]

Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, religious director of the ISOC, reminded the audience that Jesus was fasting when he received some revelations.

Silly me ... and I thought it was Jesus who GAVE the revelations.

[SVTCobra03]

2 Corinthians 6:14 (New King James Version)

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

[Tennessee Nana]

“Do you know what we call the Mormons? We call them Muslim Christians because we have so much in common,” said Imam Fazaga.
______________________________________

and so well deserved...

couldnt happen to a better bunch...

LOL

[Godzilla]

IB4PDSPAM