Ahmed Kenneh of Boscawen--in the tradition kufi--gets his meal at the Islamic Society of Greater Concord's Community Ramadan Iftar Dinner on Friday night, March 6, 2026. GEOFF FORESTER / For the Monitor

With an open door to the community, the IQRA Islamic Society of Greater Concord welcomed fellow faith and business leaders for a ceremonial meal and friendly conversation.

The Islamic Society members and their guests gathered after Sunset Friday for Iftar, the meal that breaks the daily fast during the month of Ramadan. It was their fifth year holding the event.

Iftar dishes and traditions vary across the world’s Muslim cultures. About 150 attendees enjoyed fufu, homemade yogurt, samosa, chicken shawarma, salads and rice

Ramadan, celebrating the month in which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, is marked with a dawn-to-dusk fast each day as well as prayer, reflection and charity, and aims to foster closeness with God, fellowship and gratitude. Set by a lunar calendar, the date varies each year. This year, Ramadan began on February 17 and will conclude around March 18.

Catherine McLaughlin is a reporter covering the city of Concord for the Concord Monitor. She can be reached at cmclaughlin@cmonitor.com. You can subscribe to her newsletter, the City Beat, at concordmonitor.com.