July 9, 2013

On Sunday night, the Islamic Center of Southern California (ICSC) celebrated its 60th anniversary, during its annual pre-Ramadan fundraiser iftar. Edina Lekovic, MPAC's Director of Policy and Programming, was honored to serve as the keynote speaker of the dinner, alongside Dr. Maher Hathout, MPAC's Senior Adviser.

In her remarks, she stressed the special role that Ramadan plays as a kind of "spring cleaning for soul" that is marked by three behaviors: fasting, praying and giving.

She urged the audience to demonstrate what Ramadan is about by living the spirit of generosity and service toward others that this month is about. Engaging in community service and giving of our selves this month is a path to self-reflection and self-renewal, which are the goals of fasting.

Lekovic also described a series of concentric circles of relationships that we should work on during Ramadan: our relationship with our self, our Creator, our family, our ummah (community) and humanity.

She also quoted Brown University Muslim Chaplain David Coolidge, who had a profound insight on the meaning of Ramadan: "If life didn't wound our hearts, we wouldn't need Ramadan to heal them."

More than 200 people attended the fundraising dinner, which was emceed by Fiddy Hakim and also featured ICSC Chair Dr. Saleh Kholaki and Magdy Eletreby.

ICSC strives to practice and present Islam in the U.S. by providing religious, educational and social activities for Muslims and non-Muslims. Our goal is to develop and promote a socially responsible American Muslim identity.