For several years, Sr. Marie Chiodo, DW, has been a beacon of inspiration, breaking fast (Iftar) with her Muslim Sisters and Brothers during their Holy Days of Ramadan. Sister is one of twenty-four volunteers who are English tutors in the New Hampshire Avenue Muslim Community Center's English Tutoring Program for Refugees in Silver Spring, MD. Their dedication and commitment to teaching English to Afghan women, both in-person and now through virtual classes (since COVID), is a testament to the power of community service and interfaith dialogue.

Ramadan is a month that fosters a profound sense of community and shared experience. It is a time when the Quran is believed to have been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims celebrate by reflecting, praying, performing acts of charity, making a pilgrimage, and fasting from sunrise to sunset. Each day concludes with an evening meal, known as iftar. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with Eid al-Fitr, a significant event for Muslims, much like an Easter gathering of generations of family and friends for festivities and a Feast.

Sr. Marie Chiodo, DW (second on right) with her friends at the Muslim Center.

Reflecting on her experience, Sr. Marie shared, "We began by watching the sun set. We broke the fast by first eating the date on our hors d'oeuvres plate. Then we proceeded to the prayer room, after which we returned for a delicious meal. I was particularly curious about the significance of starting with eating the date. One of the women explained it was a reminder of early times when their ancestors had no food except what they could find on the date trees in the dry desert. When I asked Yalda, one of my students, about the significance of the date, she told me the story of Mary, who is revered in Islam. The Quran has an entire Chapter dedicated to Mary. From it, I learned that dates are highly regarded in the Quran. When Mary (Maryam) gave birth to her baby, Prophet Jesus (Isa), she was tired and sad. God instructed her to eat dates and drink water to feel better and regain her strength. Surah Maryam, verse 25 (19:25) in the Quran, states: "And shake the trunk of the palm tree towards you; it will drop fresh, ripe dates upon you." The verse is translated to show that God gave Mary fresh dates during a difficult time to help her feel at peace and strengthened, and they are blessed and healthy fruits given by God. While they give us energy and help our bodies after fasting, just as God helped Maryam, when we eat dates in Ramadan, we remember Maryam's story and God's mercy."

Sr. Marie shared that, based on their experience, volunteers in the program will soon begin writing a workbook on topics essential for others, including culture and everyday life in the United States. The current ESL (English as a Second Language) workbooks do not adequately address the needs of newly arrived refugees. For example, chapters on hip-hop, barbecues, or soccer often overlook the specific needs of women. Visiting the dentist or doctor, naming body parts, going to the supermarket, and accessing the community speak more to their vocabulary needs. These are the topics they will address in their workbook.

Sister Breaks Fast with Muslim Sisters and Brothers at Ramadan