HOUSTON – As Muslims around the world are fasting for Ramadan, tensions are high in Houston due to the Israel-Gaza conflict and appear to be tearing into the sacred fabric of the Islamic holy month.
Houston’s 25th annual Ramadan dinner with the Mayor of Houston, coordinated by the Houston Karachi Sister City Association, is scheduled to remain in place this Sunday, March 17th. This, despite an open letter signed by dozens of local organizations in early March to rescind Mayor John Whitmire’s invitation, along with other public figures, due to what they’ve described as “ignored calls” for a ceasefire in Gaza.
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On Thursday, the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR) - Houston said it would be withdrawing from the annual event saying in part, “we have emailed, we have spoken up, we have asked Mayor Whitmire to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and he has repeatedly declined to do so.
“If Mayor Whitmire - or ANY elected official anywhere cannot listen to us, cannot meet with us, and refuses to hear our agony over the ongoing GENOCIDE happening in Gaza, why should we listen to him?” the release concludes.
The Islamic Society of Greater Houston (ISGH), also on Thursday, announced it would not be participating in Sunday’s dinner “based on the misalignment of our community’s values with that of the Mayor.” This statement comes just days after Mayor Whitmire met with ISGH officials.
Today, I was honored to meet with Muslim community leaders on the first day of #Ramadan . May this time bring you prosperity and joy. #Ramadan2024 #RamadanMubarak
Posted by Mayor John Whitmire on Monday, March 11, 2024
Last year’s annual iftar event featured former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner as a keynote speaker, who has been a vocal supporter of Israel even leading a delegation back in 2017.
So why is there a bigger call-to-action this year?
CAIR said in an email to KPRC 2 it’s because of the number of people killed by Israel since October 7th, and the ongoing food crisis.
“It’s understood that many politicians will support Israel, what should be a redline, and what is a redline for the Muslim community is having the basic decency to call for a ceasefire,” the statement said in part.
Meanwhile, the Houston Karachi Sister City Association said in its invitation organizers still expect more than 2,000 people to attend, with a keynote address from Mayor Whitmire.
In a statement from the Mayor’s office, we’re told “Mayor Whitmire looks forward to being at Sunday’s dinner at the invitation of sponsors and organizers.”
KPRC 2 has reached out to Turner for comment, but has not responded, as of this writing.