St. Anthony residents at a city council meeting in June, 2012
ST. ANTHONY, Minn. (KMSP) -
Residents of St. Anthony, the city that rejected a proposed Islamic community center this summer, were invited to attend a traditional Ramadan meal Thursday night at City Hall.
Christians might call a coming together like this "breaking bread," but for Muslims, they say it's about breaking barriers after the City Council rejected the Islamic center with a 4-1 vote in June, citing land use and zoning regulations while denying claims of religious intolerance.
Muslim supporters of the Islamic center hope Thursday's open dinner -- a traditional iftar -- will help residents develop an understanding of their faith and intentions.
The iftar is the meal that follows the day of fasting during Ramadan, the holy month of peace and reflection for followers of Islam.
"It is very important to us and I hope that tonight is the beginning of having an open dialogue with our neighbors, to get to know each other and see what we have in common," said Sadik Warfa, spokesman for the rejected Abu Haraira Islamic Center.
A public hearing about Abu Haraira brought out heated reaction from residents and exposed deep resentment that Muslims hope to counteract with education and understanding -- and that's also why St. Anthony villagers packed the iftar observance.
"This country was founded on religious tolerance, and so I just want to learn more about a different religion to see what's similar to mine and what's different," Karen Weiberg told FOX 9 News.
The Minnesota Council of Churches set up 10 public iftar meals throughout Ramadan as a way to teach communities about Islam. Along with the iftar in St. Anthony, another took place in Bloomington.
The Council for American Islamic Relations has asked the U.S. Attorney's Office to investigate whether St. Anthony Village violated any federal laws by rejecting the Islamic center. A spokeswoman for that office told FOX 9 News their investigation is not yet complete; however, she also said that these types of dispute can often be resolved without federal charges.
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:49 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:49:32 GMT
AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in New Jersey on Friday was $3.42, up 3 cents from last week. But that's still lower than the price from a year ago
AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in New Jersey on Friday was $3.42, up 3 cents from last week. But that's still lower than the price from a year ago
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:47 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:47:11 GMT
Internal Affairs officers on Saturday were looking into allegations made by actress Amanda Bynes that NYPD officers sexually assaulted her when she was charged with heaving a marijuana bong out the window
Internal Affairs officers on Saturday were looking into allegations made by actress Amanda Bynes that NYPD officers sexually assaulted her when she was charged with heaving a marijuana bong out the window
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:52 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:52:40 GMT
It once was an accepted tactic as old as policing itself and, according to the NYPD, a key to the city's dramatic drop in crime: patrol officers stopping young men on the street to see if they're up to no good.
It once was an accepted tactic as old as policing itself and, according to the NYPD, a key to the city's dramatic drop in crime: patrol officers stopping young men on the street to see if they're up to no good.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:36 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:36:58 GMT
Members of the American Legion Post 1 honored their own this Memorial Day. The veterans association decorated the graves of veterans at the Cemetery of the Madonna in Leonia Saturday morning.
Members of the American Legion Post 1 honored their own this Memorial Day. The veterans association decorated the graves of veterans at the Cemetery of the Madonna in Leonia Saturday morning.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:25:11 GMT
Authorities are investigating the death of a 4-week old baby in the Bronx Saturday morning. Police say they were contacted by officials from North Central Bronx Hospital around 9:50 a.m.
Authorities are investigating the death of a 4-week old baby in the Bronx Saturday morning. Police say they were contacted by officials from North Central Bronx Hospital around 9:50 a.m.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:13:45 GMT
Nassau County police have once again arrested the woman who was convicted last year for offering services as a prostitute from her hot dog vending truck.
Nassau County police have once again arrested the woman who was convicted last year for offering services as a prostitute from her hot dog vending truck.
Saturday, May 25 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-05-25 21:51:03 GMT
While some business may be have been dismal at the beaches, a lot of people who needed to venture out and keep busy Saturday found things to do – and stay dry.
While some business may be have been dismal at the beaches, a lot of people who needed to venture out and keep busy Saturday found things to do – and stay dry.
Saturday, May 25 2013 5:08 PM EDT2013-05-25 21:08:28 GMT
Nassau County health officials announced that due to heavy rainfall, 19 beaches have been closed to bathing as a precautionary measure beginning Saturday, May 25.
Nassau County health officials announced that due to heavy rainfall, 19 beaches have been closed to bathing as a precautionary measure beginning Saturday, May 25.
Saturday, May 25 2013 4:42 PM EDT2013-05-25 20:42:49 GMT
First the Sequester cuts took the American military out of the Jones Beach Air Show and now the cold and rainy start to Memorial Day has washed out the first day of the air show.
First the Sequester cuts took the American military out of the Jones Beach Air Show and now the cold and rainy start to Memorial Day has washed out the first day of the air show.
St. Anthony residents at a city council meeting in June, 2012
