Sharing with Iceland's Muslim community

We are grateful that members of the Islamic Cultural Center of Iceland and the Association of Muslims in Iceland accepted our invitation to an Iftar dinner at the end of the day's fast during the month of Ramadan.  It was an opportunity to learn about the community and their perspectives as members of Icelandic society. We were particularly pleased that Ismael Malik, an American Imam visiting Iceland, participated in the dinner and shared his own perspectives on the Muslim community in the United States. We look forward to visiting the two groups in the coming weeks.

Sharing and IFTAR dinner with the Muslim community in Iceland

We were honored to host the leadership of the Muslim community in Iceland at our residence to share an Iftar dinner. We invited members of the Association of Muslims, the Islamic Cultural Center of Iceland, and representatives from the National Church, the Ministry of the Interior, and the City of Reykjavik to share an evening meal to break the fast observed by Muslims around the world during the holy month of Ramadan. We also used the opportunity to welcome and introduce two recently arrived members of the U.S. Embassy community who were also observing Ramadan. It was a pleasant evening of sharing and reflection.

Visit to the Islamic Cultural Center

At the invitation of the Islamic Cultural Center, I visited their facilities in Reykjavík. The Center has been operating since 2009 with the objective of providing the Muslim community in Iceland a place for gathering, reflection, and prayer and a place to welcome all Icelanders interested in learning about Islam. I had the opportunity to hear from the Center’s leadership about their plans and aspirations as members of Icelandic society. I look forward to hosting members of the Center and of the Muslim Association of Iceland for an Iftar dinner next week. This traditional dinner, held during the Ramadan holiday, is an opportunity for reflection and for fellowship.