William Henry :
In a powerful display of unity and shared purpose, more than 300 attendees gathered in Brooklyn, New York, for a United Interfaith Celebration honoring Ramadan, Passover, and Easter, hosted by The Bridge Multicultural & Advocacy Project (The Bridge MCP) at 1894 Flatbush Avenue on March 15 at 6:00 PM.
The event brought together a diverse group of clergy, elected officials, media representatives, and community members, reflecting the rich cultural and religious fabric of Brooklyn. As three major faith observances coincided this season, the gathering created a meaningful space for reflection, prayer, and fellowship across traditions.
The evening featured religious readings and prayers led by a range of faith leaders, including Imam Muhammad Shahidullah, Rabbi Andre Malek, Pastor Dr. Charles O. Galbreath, Dileepkumar Thankappan, and Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik. The program also included the sharing of Kosher and Halal cuisine, symbolizing both diversity and unity.
A highlight of the evening was the address by New York City Council Member Yusuf Salaam, Chair of the Committee to Combat Hate, who served as the honored guest speaker. His remarks emphasized the importance of building bridges among communities and standing united against division—messages that resonated strongly with attendees.
The event was attended by prominent public officials including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr., Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, and Council Member Farah N. Louis. Also present were notable community and faith leaders such as Reverend Dr. Charles O. Galbreath of Clarendon Road Baptist Church, Rabbi Danny, Dr. Sima Karetnaya—a G100 USA Country Chair for Diplomacy, WHO Health Expert, and Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awardee—as well as Gil Cygler.
The celebration was made possible through the leadership of Mark Meyer Appel, founder of The Bridge MCP, whose vision focuses on fostering dialogue, cultural understanding, and collaboration across communities. The event was further supported by co-sponsors including Atia Shahnaz, COPO, Making a Change with Kindness, Dr. Sima Karetnaya, Rabbinical Alliance of America / Igud Harabbonim, and Raheela Aslam of New Life Minority Human Rights Council Inc.
Media coverage and documentation were provided by Brenda Cox of the Canarsie Courier, Bridge TV, Christopher Leon Johnson, and Manzoor Hussain, helping amplify the significance of the gathering.
As the evening concluded, the event stood as a testament to the strength of interfaith collaboration in Brooklyn—demonstrating that when communities come together across cultures and beliefs, they can create powerful moments of unity, respect, and shared hope.
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