State Rep. Salman Bhojani, D-Euless, and Nima Bhojani’s interfaith iftar dinner Sunday evening drew religious leaders from across North Texas and about 40 regional politicians, including U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas.
“Our prayer is that we may remember our shared values and the common call to righteousness that runs through all of our faith traditions,” Allred said in a brief speech. “And for our democracy, because ultimately our democracy is the safeguard of our ability to practice our faith traditions.”
Interfaith relations is a topic of importance to Bhojani, who in 2022 became one of the first two Muslims elected to the Texas House. As a freshman legislator, he introduced several bills to expand religious freedom. One bipartisan bill passed, and now school districts cannot schedule standardized testing on certain holidays sacred to Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs or Christians.
“Let us remember the importance of pluralism,” Bhojani said at the event. “Let us embrace the diversity that enriches our society and celebrate the contributions of each and every individual gathered here tonight.”
Iftars are the fast-breaking meals after sundown each night during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Bhojani’s son Aarish, who introduced his father at the event, said Bhojani plans to hold the event annually.
In addition to Allred and Bhojani, members of eight religions spoke at the event in Irving about how their traditions view interfaith relations.
The speakers were Christian Pastor Patrick Moses, who is the Democratic candidate for Tarrant County sheriff; Joel Schwitzer, regional director of the American Jewish Committee; Imam Moujahed Bakhach of Fort Worth; Hindu representative Bindu Patel; Harbhajan Singh Virdee of the Sikh faith; Zoroastrian representative Ava Damri; Buddhist Bhante Virmalakitti; and Maha Iskandar of the Bahá'í faith.
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