Jersey City Breaks Fast Together During Annual Inter-Faith Ramadan Iftar Celebration at City Hall

On Feb. 19, 2026, many members of Jersey City gathered to celebrate Ramadan, the holy month of fasting in Islam. Ramadan is a monthlong period observed according to the lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast daily from dawn until sunset, when the fast is broken with a meal and prayer known as iftar. On this day, Jersey City hosted its annual Interfaith Ramadan Iftar, inviting people of all faiths to learn about and appreciate the significance of the holy month.

Religious leaders from multiple traditions addressed the crowd, including Christian priests, Coptic fathers, Jewish rabbis and Muslim sheikhs, each offering prayers and reflections. Speakers expressed respect for Islamic teachings and the Qur’an. The Rev. Whitney Bodman, an associate professor emeritus of comparative religion, shared insights from his studies of the Qur’an’s language. He discussed the concept of taqwa, which he translated as “God-mindedness,” explaining how the principle can resonate across faiths worldwide.

Several elected officials also spoke, including U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez; Assemblywoman Katie Brennan; Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla; Hudson County Commissioners Bill O’Dea and Yraida Aponte-Lipski; Jersey City Councilmembers Rolando Lavarro, Joel Brooks, Tom Zuppa, Eleana Little and Jake Ephros; state Sen. Raj Mukherji; and Jersey City Mayor James Solomon, who delivered the closing remarks.

“In the iftar tradition, you don’t break fast alone — you do it with your neighbors and family — and that is also the Jersey City tradition,” Solomon said. The Interfaith Ramadan Iftar has been held for more than 35 years, marking this year as the first under the city’s new administration.

Master of ceremonies Ahmed Shedeed reflected on the growth of Jersey City’s Muslim community and his role in fostering greater understanding of Islam.

“When I came here 45 years ago, I never dreamed this could happen,” Shedeed said. “There was only one mosque in Jersey City. Now there are 15. I’ve seen our youth grow more aware, and it’s amazing.”

As president of the Journal Square Special Improvement District and the Islamic Center of Jersey City, Shedeed has organized Ramadan events throughout Journal Square to honor the city’s expanding Muslim population.

“Jersey City has one of the most populous Muslim communities in America,” Solomon said. “It’s important we celebrate this diversity.”

The event concluded at sunset, 5:37 p.m., when Muslims were permitted to break their fast. The city provided dates — traditionally eaten to begin iftar — along with water and halal meals, allowing attendees to share the evening meal together.