AFC Ann Arbor will host a community iftar on Saturday April 30th at Southeast Park. This celebration will not only mark the return of the club to the pitch after a two season hiatus due to COVID but also a chance for Muslims and non-Muslims to come together and share a meal as those observing Ramadan break their fast. The event will begin at 7PM with food being served at sunset (close to 8:30PM).
Ramadan, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, in which Muslims partake in a month-long practice of self-restraint, including fasting from sunup to sundown each day. Islam is not only the second largest religion in the world (almost 25% of the planet are Muslims), but Michigan is home to Muslims from around the world and the sixth most Muslim populated state in the country. Because Islam is such a large religion, Muslims observe and practice Ramadan differently based on cultural practices, family influence and other variables. This event is an opportunity for people from all walks of life to partake in Ramadan for one day and learn from their fellow Muslim neighbors.
Imam Achmat Salie, a South African native, Muslim scholar and interfaith organizer will be attending as a special guest of the club sharing a few words of wisdom. Everyone from the community is invited, but not required, to fast that day from sunrise to sunset, and participate in Ramadan with their Muslim neighbors observing the holy month.
“Ramadan is not only a month of physical stamina, but also of spiritual stamina in which all of the pillars of Islam come to life. This month anchors us in values, virtues, sounds habits and principles that come to our aid during times of crisis and vulnerability,” said Imam Salie.
The Community Iftar will also serve as the season kickoff to AFC Ann Arbor’s upcoming campaign in USL W League (women) and USL Two (men). Those who purchased 2022 Memberships and selected to pick them up, this event will be your first chance to get them. Just seven days prior to the start of the season, community members will get a chance to meet and interact with players and staff, as well as members from the ownership group.
Shortly after the event begins at 7PM, an AFC Ann Arbor player will be reading “In My Mosque.” There will also be an area for kids to kick the ball around with other AFCAA players, and Ann Arbor District Library will also have music and science tools available for people to explore and play with.
“We often talk about sport being used to bring people from different backgrounds together but we rarely see it happen. This event is the first of many in which we are deliberately trying to introduce people from different parts of the county that may have never crossed paths before,” added Club Chair, Bilal Saeed.
For additional information on Ramadan, click here. For more information on AFC Ann Arbor 2022 Memberships click here.