IDC organized its first Iftar Dinner on November 7, 2004 at 4.30 pm with participation of around 50 guests and journalists. Guests from different faiths enjoyed Turkish food.
Dinner started with Adhan (call to prayer). Guests listened to adhan with reverence. Then, they broke their fast.
Rev. Phil F. A. Latronico, Executive Secretary of Commission of Interreligious Affairs of Archdiocese of Newark, made the opening prayer and recalled a document issued by the Vatican in the 1960s encouraging interfaith dialog. He said, "Forty years ago this would not have taken place: a Catholic priest would not have participated in celebrating an Islamic holiday.
Key note speaker Mr. Ahmet Kurucan, Senior advisor to IDC, said in his address that all faithful had to understand each other and that's why this organization had been establieshed. He further said, "We want inform members of other faiths about Islam, but we also want to learn about other faiths."
Through the end of the program, some guests expressed their feelings. Dr. Martin Porter said that such occasions were important to promote understanding among beliefs." He then stressed the significance of moral values like love, humility, family bonds, etc.
He further continued, "the founders of great religions were all broad-minded people but some of their followers were not, and this causes sorrow for God and mankind. Regrettably also it has been religion that has often been a source of strife and conflicts. I am of the persuasion that until people overcome the conflict within themselves, we have little opportunity to overcome conflicts in the family, society, etc.
Local media was interested in our event. Howard Prosnitz and Jaimie Winters of South Bergenite followed and wrote about the program in their newspaper.
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