Dearborn Heights firefighters fast alongside Muslim community members to mark start of Ramadan

DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) – As the primary day of fasting for Muslims worldwide got here to an finish Thursday, so did the second annual iftar dinner on the Dearborn Heights Fireplace Division.

Practically a dozen firefighters determined to quick from all meals and drinks on the primary day of Ramadan to embrace and stand in solidarity with their Muslim Neighborhood members.

Like many on the hearth division have come to study, Battalion Chief Phil Corridor says fasting from dawn till sundown is just not a joke.

“That is the second 12 months that I am doing it. It is killing me like not having a glass of water. That is simply one thing that I all the time have near me, and that is most likely been the toughest half,” Corridor stated.

The concept of internet hosting the iftar first got here from Dearborn Heights Metropolis Councilman Mo Baydoun, together with resident Moe Qasim, each of whom say the occasion first began as a joke.

“I used to be requested, ‘Why are you doing this?’ It was a joke. I instructed Phil Corridor someday, ‘It is best to quick and I will purchase the meals.’ And subsequent second I do know, there’s 20 individuals fasting. Phil stated I can get my firefighters to quick,” Baydoun stated.

From there on, Baydoun says breaking bread with the women and men who serve in his metropolis has grow to be a practice.

“Our police chief is fasting. Our union president is fasting. There’s about 10 different officers or firefighters which can be fasting … It speaks for itself,” Baydoun says.

Whereas it felt good to interrupt his quick with the meals on the desk, Corridor says he’s very happy to stroll away with the teachings he discovered from it.

“The group coming collectively and simply having an area the place we are able to all simply sit no matter any type of race, faith, tradition, and simply have time to have a meal with one another. There’s big energy in that,” Corridor says.

Baydoun says he’s grateful for eating places like Al-Ameer, Hashem Market, the Burger Truck and Custard Co. for donating the meals for Thursday evening’s iftar. 

Each Baydoun and Corridor say they hope to proceed their Ramadan custom by breaking bread with one another subsequent 12 months.