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First Ever Ramadan Iftar Held at San Francisco City Hall

Published

5 years ago

May 21, 2019

The San Francisco Muslim community held its first ever Ramadan Iftar at City Hall on Friday, May 10.

With over 350 people in attendance and City Hall glowing in green in honor of the holiday celebrated by 25,000 residents in the city, the evening was filled with families, friends, and faith and city leaders sharing uplifting messages of hope in these times that can be both difficult and precious.

Iftar is the evening meal with which Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. Muslims break their fast at the time of the call to prayer for the evening.

The Arab Resource and Organizing Center supported the iftar with the help of the support of the Mayor’s Office, the hard work of SF Muslim community members, Chinatown Community Development Center, Boys and Girls Club, Teachers 4 Social Justice, SEIU 87, the Yemeni American Association, AROC and our 45 volunteers that evening.

Mayor London Breed addressed the community, acknowledging this historic moment and San Francisco’s longstanding commitment to social justice stating.

“We are tragically watching acts of violence fueled by islamophobia, bigotry, racism rise through the world,” she said. “And we are seeing people in positions of power use their platform not to speak out against these injustices but to stoke the flames of fear. But not tonight. Not tonight in San Francisco, and not ever in San Francisco. We are united.”

Imam Abu Qadir Al-Amin also spoke making the connection between commemorating the holy month of Ramadan to the social responsibility to better serving our communities.

“Many times when we are called to City Hall it is some crisis that we are responding to, some tragedy, something terrible that has happened, to be with brothers and sisters to stand for justice, equality,” he said.

”To be here celebrating and commemorating the month of Ramadan, we are celebrating not just hunger, pain, and going without food and water. More importantly we are studying and reflecting over the guidance of God that he has given to us so that we can better serve humanity and live a fuller life respecting all of God’s creation.”

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

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April 26, 2024

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Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

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April 19, 2024

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California Black Media

Yahushua’s Law: Senate Advances Bill to Protect Students from Extreme Weather

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3. The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Published

1 week ago

April 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Yahushua Nyerere Robinson (Courtesy Photo)

By California Black Media

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3.

The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) and co-authored by Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa), SB 1248 directs the California Department of Education to develop comprehensive guidelines for schools regarding student activity during all extreme weather conditions.

“No student should ever lose their life on campus to extreme weather when we can take steps to protect them by preparing statewide plans to minimize exposure to the most harmful elements of exposure,” Hurtado said after introducing SB 1248.

The bill stipulates that schools must implement safety measures which include monitoring weather forecasts, postponing or relocating outdoor activities during hazardous conditions, and ensuring students have proper hydration and access to shade. It also requires schools to establish clear communication plans to keep parents, teachers, and students informed about potential weather hazards.

Supporters of the bill include the Robinson family, advocate Christina Laster, Bold Enterprises LLC, California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute, Familias Empoderadas del Valle Central National Action Network, The Black Student Advocate, and the Ventura County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Thanking Hurtado for introducing this crucial legislation, Weber said, “The story of Yahushua Robinson last year was heartbreaking. We have protections for farm workers and other industries in the case of extreme weather, now climate change is forcing us to also extend similar protections to students at school.”