An Interfaith Feast During Ramadan at First Church

People came from near and far for the interfaith gathering at First Church Swampscott Congregational's Clarke Hall. 
They came from Swampscott, from New York and from as far away as the Middle East. And they came for fellowship.
Among the guests Friday at sunset were Mariam and Mufid Harara from the Palestinian city Gaza.
The couple spoke little English and Mufid was a bit apprehensive, this being his first time in the United States and not knowing what to expect, said his daughter, Sahar Harara of Swampscott.
By the end of the evening he felt welcome and that he had been among friends, his daughter said.
Sahar and her daughter Fatima served as translators, helping the Palestinian couple socialize with fellow guests.
Among the guests at the Hararas' table was Jim Kinchley of Swampscott.  
Jim not only met and talked with Mufid and Mariam but met their daughter, Sahar, who it turns out is a neighbor of his on Walker Road.
The evening featured communion and good food.
Mounzer Aylouche spent much of the day in the kitchen, preparing an array of other wonderful foods. The dinner menu included Damascan chicken, cous cous, soup, casseroles and salads.
Members of the Muslim community broke their fast after a call to prayers by Mounzer in this the middle of the month of Ramadan, the month of fasting and prayer for Muslims.
The guests joined them in the feast.