Photos: Deaf community celebrates Ramadan with iftar meal
Intidar Aljabery signs to a fellow attendee at the Deaf Iftar Celebration at the Wilder Foundation in St. Paul on Saturday. Iftar is the traditional evening fast-breaking meal observed by Muslims during the month of Ramadan.
Ben Brewer for MPR News
At a celebration during the holy month of Ramadan, community members gathered Saturday for the Deaf Iftar Celebration.
The iftar — or meal to break the fast for the day — offered community members a chance to learn about culturally and linguistically appropriate services, all while enjoying good food and company.
The event was hosted by the Minnesota Deaf Muslim Community and held at the Wilder Foundation in St. Paul.
Photographer Ben Brewer joined the celebration to document the community gathering for MPR News.
Community members converse during the Deaf Iftar Celebration at the Wilder Foundation in St. Paul on Saturday, March 30, 2024. Iftar is the traditional evening fast-breaking meal observed by Muslims during the month of Ramadan.
Ben Brewer for MPR News
Patrick Tricio, left, a baker who is deafblind signs with an interpreter before the Deaf Iftar Celebration, hosted by the Minnesota Deaf Muslim Community at the Wilder Foundation in St. Paul on Saturday. Iftar is the traditional evening fast-breaking meal observed by Muslims during the month of Ramadan.
Ben Brewer for MPR News
Community members converse in ASL before the Deaf Iftar Celebration, hosted by the Minnesota Deaf Muslim Community at the Wilder Foundation.
Ben Brewer for MPR News
Community members converse before the Deaf Iftar Celebration at the Wilder Foundation in St. Paul on Saturday. Iftar is the traditional evening fast-breaking meal observed by Muslims during the month of Ramadan.
Ben Brewer for MPR News
The Deaf Iftar Celebration at the Wilder Foundation.
Ben Brewer for MPR News
An interpreter signs the presentation on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) by Valerie Shirley.
Ben Brewer for MPR News
Omar Ibrahim delivers a keynote on the tenets of Islam during the Deaf Iftar Celebration.
Ben Brewer for MPR News
Nausheena Hussain looks on during the Deaf Iftar Celebration.
Ben Brewer for MPR News
Community members pray the evening prayer, Tarawih, during the Deaf Iftar Celebration on Saturday.
Ben Brewer for MPR News
Valerie Shirley, executive director of the Minnesota Deaf Muslim Community, checks in attendees for the Deaf Iftar Celebration.
Ben Brewer for MPR News
Table decorations and dates at the Deaf Iftar Celebration at the Wilder Foundation in St. Paul.
Ben Brewer for MPR News
Community members arrive for the Deaf Iftar Celebration at the Wilder Foundation in St. Paul.
Ben Brewer for MPR News
Minnesota Deaf Muslim Community Executive Director Valerie Shirley, right, embraces an attendee before the Deaf Iftar Celebration at the Wilder Foundation in St. Paul.
Ben Brewer for MPR News
Minnesota Deaf Muslim Community Executive Director Valerie Shirley embraces an attendee at the Deaf Iftar Celebration at the Wilder Foundation in St. Paul.
Ben Brewer for MPR News
Volunteers from the Minnesota Deaf Muslim Community share food during the Deaf Iftar Celebration.
Ben Brewer for MPR News
Community members break their fast with water during the Deaf Iftar Celebration at the Wilder Foundation in St. Paul on Saturday.
Ben Brewer for MPR News
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.