Past event

Community Iftar in Calumet

  • Date:
  • Time: 7:30–8:30 PM ET
  • Place: Keweenaw Storytelling Center, Calumet
A group poses under the Keweenaw Storytelling Center banner around a small desk of books about Islam, Ramadan and Eid.

On the last night of Ramadan, about 50 people joined us at the Keweenaw Storytelling Center in downtown Calumet to learn about Ramadan and break the fast together.

It was our first Community Iftar in Calumet. Real People Media, which runs the Keweenaw Storytelling Center, hosted it with us on Thursday, March 19, in partnership with the Elaine Bacon Literacy Program. The center was decorated for Ramadan and Eid, from paper lanterns to a glowing crescent moon in the front window.

The evening opened with a presentation introducing Islam and Ramadan and a game of bingo. When it was time to break the fast, MSA members served a buffet of Middle Eastern and Asian dishes, and guests asked questions about Islam over dinner. The Portage Lake District Library provided books about Islam, Ramadan and Eid for everyone to browse.

Eid al-Fitr was the next day, so it was a happy way to close the month together. Real People Media plans to make the Community Iftar a yearly event, and The Daily Mining Gazette put the evening on the front page of its weekend edition.

Thank you to Real People Media and the Elaine Bacon Literacy Program for opening the doors, and to the Portage Lake District Library for the books. Thank you also to the Keweenaw Community Foundation: the Wellness Café, one of the evening’s supporters, is part of the Elaine Bacon Literacy Program grant from the Foundation. And thank you to everyone who came and ate with us. Everyone is welcome at MSA.

Learn more

Photos

People at round tables watch a presenter beside an Introduction to Islam slide, under strings of lights.
The Storytelling Center's front windows at night, decorated with paper lanterns, Ramadan Mubarak banners and a glowing crescent moon.
A long buffet table of rice platters and other dishes, with people serving themselves at the far end.
Books about Islam, Ramadan and Eid stand on display, including The Night Before Eid and Under My Hijab.
A group of people smiles on the sidewalk outside the decorated Storytelling Center window at night.
A display board titled Islam stands on a round table with a Quran on a wooden stand and purple tulips.
A chalkboard in the window reads Ramadan Kareem, Eid Mubarak and Community Meal 3/19/26 under colorful paper decorations.
See all events