Daniel Matthew :
In a powerful display of interfaith unity and community connection, The Council of Peoples Organization (COPO) hosted its Annual Interfaith Ramadan Iftar Dinner in New York, bringing together seniors, elected officials, faith leaders, and law enforcement for an evening centered on reflection, fellowship, and shared purpose.
Held at the COPO Older Adult Center Halal, the gathering was organized by COPO directors Mohammad Razvi and Raja Hasan Raza. The event reflected the group’s longstanding effort to create spaces where diverse communities can come together during the holy month of Ramadan. According to COPO, the evening united members of the Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, and Christian communities, underscoring the broader interfaith spirit that defined the program.
The dinner drew a notable group of public officials and civic leaders, including NYC Councilmember Farah Louis, NYC Councilmember Inna Vernikov, Assemblymember Robert Carroll, and NYPD Deputy Chief Richard Taylor. Also in attendance were Mark Myers Apple, head of the Bridges Organization, representatives from the Brooklyn Borough President’s office, and local community leaders including Raja Azad Gul, Raheela Pervez, and Chaudhry Pervez Akhtar.
A defining feature of the evening was the strong participation of seniors from the COPO Older Adult Center, whose presence helped make the gathering a meaningful and large community event. Their involvement highlighted the center’s role not only as a service hub for older adults, but also as a place where broader community ties can be strengthened through shared cultural and religious observances.
In a statement after the event, COPO said it was honored to host its OAC Annual Interfaith Iftar, describing the evening as one that brought the community together during Ramadan. The organization noted that the program was made possible with the support of its dedicated staff and thanked attendees for joining in the spirit of unity.
By convening leaders and residents from different backgrounds around a shared table, COPO once again demonstrated how community institutions can build bridges across faiths and generations. The annual iftar served not only as a Ramadan observance, but also as a reminder that New York’s strength continues to rest in its diversity, dialogue, and solidarity.
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