Muslim Hospitality
Las Vegas Muslims host an Interfaith Conference
On August 13,2005, the Las Vegas Muslim community hosted an interfaith dinner for the delegates of a national interfaith conference, which was being held at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. Attendees of the conference were from different cities from the US as well as Canada and Latin America
The program started at 6:30 pm and finished around 9:00 pm. During dinner, a slide show of Islamic art and pictures from across the Islamic world, with some Quranic readings and music in the background, was presented to the attendees. Entertainment consisted of a two-man Moroccan band performing with traditional musical instruments and some spiritual chanting and singing. The two performers dazzled everyone with their talents as well as their good sense of humor, pleasing the audience and exposing them to a form of Islamic spirituality.
One unique aspect of the dinner was the manner it was served. There were around 35 tables each seating 10 people. Host families volunteered to serve dinner for the attendees at the tables. Each table was identified by the host’s home country. This gave the guests the freedom to choose what type of food to taste and where to sit. All the food was home made and served by the hosts in a similar manner as if it was served at their own homes. It really brought about a very comfortable and hospitable atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.
After finishing dinner, it was Maghrib prayer time. The Adhan was called and Muslims lined up to pray. Many of the guests watched the prayer from behind the large glass walls of the meeting rooms where the prayer was being offered. Some even participated in performing the prayer. Overall, the evening was wonderful. It was very heartening to see a gathering where Muslims and non-Muslims joined in an evening of peace, fun and sharing. Sharing of not only food, but also sharing of learning and education, understanding each other. As one of the entertainers said, “We only need love.”
The program started at 6:30 pm and finished around 9:00 pm. During dinner, a slide show of Islamic art and pictures from across the Islamic world, with some Quranic readings and music in the background, was presented to the attendees. Entertainment consisted of a two-man Moroccan band performing with traditional musical instruments and some spiritual chanting and singing. The two performers dazzled everyone with their talents as well as their good sense of humor, pleasing the audience and exposing them to a form of Islamic spirituality.
One unique aspect of the dinner was the manner it was served. There were around 35 tables each seating 10 people. Host families volunteered to serve dinner for the attendees at the tables. Each table was identified by the host’s home country. This gave the guests the freedom to choose what type of food to taste and where to sit. All the food was home made and served by the hosts in a similar manner as if it was served at their own homes. It really brought about a very comfortable and hospitable atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.
After finishing dinner, it was Maghrib prayer time. The Adhan was called and Muslims lined up to pray. Many of the guests watched the prayer from behind the large glass walls of the meeting rooms where the prayer was being offered. Some even participated in performing the prayer. Overall, the evening was wonderful. It was very heartening to see a gathering where Muslims and non-Muslims joined in an evening of peace, fun and sharing. Sharing of not only food, but also sharing of learning and education, understanding each other. As one of the entertainers said, “We only need love.”
