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Ramadan is an annual religious observance celebrated by the Muslim community across the world, and the Muslim community conducted the fourth annual Fort Cavazos Iftar dinner, sharing it with those across the military community Friday evening at the Main Post Chapel on Fort Cavazos.
“We just had an Iftar event, which is about breaking the fast together,” said Cpl. Abibou-Laye Salami, coordinator of the event, assigned to Dental Health Activity. “Normally, Iftar is an Arabic word which means breaking fast, but being in a community here, which is a military setting, we always try to incorporate interfaith to let other people know that we are open, and we are all from only one family, which is the Army family.”
Salami said this event gives them the chance to invite everybody so they can see what they do here as Muslim Soldiers.
“There is nothing we hide in our religion,” he said. “If you want to know anything, we owe it to answer your questions, and we treat people based on humanity. At the end of the day, we are humans. Religion is not supposed to divide us, but religion is supposed to be something that brings us together. So that is why we invite people from all religions … even nonfaith; everybody is welcomed to our event.”
The Muslim Services administration team was happy with the turnout of over 250 friends, battle buddies and leadership joining their community, seeing the close bond they have and what they bring to the community.
“This is our fourth (Iftar dinner), and we had maximum participation, but also this is the first time that we had a CG (commanding general) come and support,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mamadou Diallo, Alpha Company, 115th Bridge Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. “For us, it’s a victory in a sense, so he can see how large a community it is, and we can express some of our needs.”
Salami said this was the best Iftar celebration they have had so far.
“This year we were able to have the chapel recruiting team,” he said. “They drove all the way from Dallas … We also had ACS (Army Community Services) here, so they helped some families. Sometimes, we’re just there and we don’t know that, hey, if you have this issue, these people can help you out with a lot of information, and the public or the audience would benefit from that as well.”
As a military community, many are away from family during the holidays, missing their memorable traditions. Staff Sgt. Sabri Carter-Latin, noncommissioned officer in charge of the event, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 36th Engineer Brigade, said having the Muslim community present at Fort Cavazos, especially during Ramadan time, is essential. They are there to offer aid and guidance to make sure younger Soldiers know how to navigate military life has a Muslim, Carter-Latin shared.
“Single Soldiers have a hard time,” she said. “Most dining facilities close by 19:50 (7:50 p.m.), so they don’t have time during Ramadan to eat at the facilities. In that case, our families provide them someone to go to make sure they have food to eat, and they feel that support.”
Carter-Latin also noted for some of her Soldiers, this is the first time they are away from family and working their first job. The community makes sure the Soldiers know when they need to put in leave forms for the end of Ramadan, what they are entitled to and how they need to go about their requests.
The end of Ramadan will happen this Saturday or Sunday depending on the sighting of the crescent moon.
For information on activities for Eid al-Fitr or other activities within the Muslim communities, reach out to Salami at abiboulaye.salami.mil@health.mil or the Religious Support Office at 254-288-6545.
| Date Taken: | 03.20.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.11.2025 17:01 |
| Story ID: | 494056 |
| Location: | FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 7 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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