Beacon High School Students Fought For 2 Years To Have Both Muslim Eid Holidays Recognized As Day Off

As first reported by the Beacon High School Newspaper Club April 2023 print edition, the Breaking Beacon, high school students in the Muslim community in Beacon fought for the last 2 years to have both of Islam’s holiest holidays, Eid al-Fitr (celebrating the completion of Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha, be recognized as official school days off. According to reporting in the article, the students encountered a “back and forth” resistance from Beacon’s Superintendent Matthew Landahl and Board of Education President Meredith Heuer.

The April 2023 print edition of “Breaking Beacon,” the newspaper of the Beacon High School.

After presenting quotes from emails from the Beacon City School Board of Education, which stated “excuses” on why the holidays could not be made official, student reporter Nadeen Ahmed, in the final sentence of her article titled “School Inclusion For Muslim Holidays," stated: “We are hoping when developing the 2023-2024 calendar, these holidays will be considered.” Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the month long holiday of Ramadan, was recognized as an official holiday in April 2023, and experienced for the first time in 2024, during the time of the escalated genocide of the Palestinians of all faiths but mainly Muslims in Gaza.

“Muslims already have to deal with not being respected as a religion. People think our beliefs are fatuous and too oftenly get called oppressed when that simply isn’t true. We realize we cannot change everyone’s opinions, but not even being recognized, that is our breaking point,” Nadeen wrote.

She went on to report: “Students in the Beacon City School District have gone back and forth with the superintendent and the president of the school board, but have made no progress in getting them to consider having the rightful days off for these significant Muslim holidays.”

Why An Excused Absence vs School Holiday For Either Muslim Holiday of Eid Is Harmful and Dismissive

While the school board offered to give an excused absence to Muslim students recognizing the holidays, the reporter described why that was insufficient and harmful: “Offering us an excused day off will cause more harm than it will benefit us. The day will be filled with stress about the work that we will have to make up as well as any final, Regents, or AP exam review we might be missing, or even the test itself.”

“We understand that making a school calendar does happen after a lot of planning to meet the ‘necessary parameters,’ but these days should be considered one of them. In recent years, Eid al-Adha hasn’t been during the school year, but in upcoming yeras it will be. When this day comes, we expect to be at home, not worrying about the schoolwork or test preparations we’ll be missing.”

— Nadeen Ahmed

Nadeen described the feelings around both Eids, to help non-Muslim readers identify: “Imagine. It’s Christmas Day, you wake up full of joy and excitement to continue the traditions that have been in your family for what seems like forever. To open presents in your cozy pajamas, spend the day with the family you haven’t seen in months or years, and to dine on the most delicious feast that you have been longing for since last Christmas. Stop imagining. Muslims don’t get the luxury - scratch that - we don’t get the right to honor our holidays’ true intentions. Days that should be spent celebrating, are instead being spent at school.”

Nadeen described the meaning behind both Eids: “During the holidays of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha, students are still expected to attend school. During Ramadan, Muslims don’t eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset with a few exceptions to break their fast, this holiday lasts a month. Eid al-Fitr is a day Muslims spend celebrating the end of the hard month of Ramadan; celebrating our devotion and perseverance through the hardships. Finally, Eid al-Adha is a day commemorating the willingness of our prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as an act of obedience to God’s command. None of these holidays are being given their rightful days off to be truly celebrated and honored in our school district.”

District Stated That Eid-Adha Was In Summer - But It Rotates and Is Here Now

According to the article, the Beacon Board of Education provided several excuses of why the Eid holidays could not be written into the school calendar as full days off. One of them including the timing of Eid al-Adha, which is happening right now - June 16th and 17th 2024. According to the BBC and to Muslims in Beacon: “Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu-al-Hijjah - which is the twelfth and final month of the lunar Islamic calendar. The exact date depends on the sighting of the moon. On the morning of Eid, Muslims gather to perform Eid prayers in congregation. People traditionally wear new clothes and visit family and friends.”

The Breaking Beacon article presented pieces of emails and logic to debating the adoption of this holiday. The reporter pointed out: “These holidays have been during that time of year for many years [Regents, AP exams, finals].”

The article quoted an email from the District: “Our first read of our calendar was approved at the last meeting….” But the student reporter disputed: “The calendar had not had its final approval, so why can’t it be considered? This is not a valid excuse for not taking our holidays into account since they’ve had constant reminders about it.”

The reporter continued commentating on quotes from the emails from the District: “They [the District] also replied with: ‘Eid al-Fitr is on a Saturday and Eid al-Adha is after school is out for the summer, so I am not sure these holidays impact our calendar directly this year.’ It was said that for the 2022-2023 school year, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha do not fall on school days. Not only is that not true, but it would only be justifiable for that one year. While Eid al-Adha is on a day during the summer break, Eid al-Fitr does lie on a Friday. They use these as reasons, but in reality, these are excuses.”

Both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha Fell On School Days For 2024

This year, Ramadan was from March 10 - April 9, 2024 (as noted at MIT, which outlines accommodations given to Muslim students during that time, but also fails in giving both Eid holidays off as full school closures). Eid al Fitr fell on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Superintend Landahl made the announcement in his email to district families a year in advance, stating: “The BCSD Board of Education adopted the 23-24 calendar last night (April 24, 2023). The calendar has some changes from the previous years. Eid al-Fitr, the final day of Ramadan, is now a school holiday on April 10.”

There was no mention of Eid al-Adha, which was Monday and Tuesday of this week, which has been a time of finals, Regents, and a heat wave which has resulted in early dismissals.

However, this recognition of Eid al-Fitr seems like a win for Muslim families and the community at large. Other districts in the area, like Wappingers Falls, do not give the day off. In the Breaking Beacon article, published before the decision was made, the reporter wrote: “These holidays are coming up soon, and the Muslim students of our schools have other choice but to dread these days. Our school district has done nothing to recognize the importance of Muslim holidays. We understand that making a school calendar does happen after a lot of planning to meet the ‘necessary parameters,’ but these days should be considered one of them. In recent years, Eid al-Adha hasn’t been during the school year, but in upcoming yeras it will be. When this day comes, we expect to be at home, not worrying about the schoolwork or test preparations we’ll be missing.”

During last night’s City Council meeting (6/17/2024), Councilperson Molly Rhodes of Ward 1 wished those celebrating Eid al-Adha a Happy Mubarak.

Beacon City Schools Recognize Eid al-Fitr As School Holiday For First Time

Photo Credit: by Saimon Kite

When the Beacon City School principals or assistant principals sent out the upcoming holiday dates, like this one from Rombout Middle School, district families noticed a new school holiday: Eid al-Fitr, which is one of the most celebrated days in Islam. "This will be the first year that the Beacon City School District is closed for the Eid holiday,” Vickie Jackson, Secretary to Dr. Matthew Landahl, Superintendent, confirmed to A Little Beacon Blog. Once the Muslim community in Beacon completes Ramadan, which is the highly anticipated month of fasting from sunrise to sundown, the fast is celebrated on the last day of Ramadan on Eid al-Fitr.

Longtime writer for ALBB, Izdihar Dabashi, who is Muslim, Yemeni-American and a hijabi, explains what Eid is: “Muslims have two Eid holidays: Eid Al-Fitr, which is the first day to break fast following the holy month of Ramadan. Eid Al-Fitr celebrates the completion of Ramadan. We start the day by praying at the mosque for Allah (God) to accept our fast, charity, and good deeds during Ramadan. Each Muslim person donates money to the poor, and it’s common for people to send money to feed the poor or slaughter (in a humane and clean method, which makes it halal) a lamb to feed the poor. Eid is spent with family. Some of us go to the park, others to restaurants, some choose to just stay at home and have family over.”

Eid will be recognized as a school holiday in Beacon on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. The actual date is determined by the Hijri calendar - its lunar calendar of 12 months.

According to Zakat.org, “Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Hijri calendar’s 9th month, Ramadan, and the first day of its 10th month, Shawwal.” As for the start of Ramadan, Zakat.org states: “Based on Ramadan 2024 beginning March 11 (at night, with the first fasting day being March 12), we anticipate Eid al-Fitr 2024 to fall on or near April 9.”

Zakat means almsgiving in Arabic and is one of the 5 pillars of Islam. Zakat is considered a religious obligation and duty for Muslims.

Family Day At Masjid Ar Rashid Islamic Teaching Center In Beacon - All Are Welcome

Photo Credit: Google

Photo Credit: Screenshot from the Highlands Current

Last week’s Highlands Current profiled Abdullah Wajid, an Imam with the Masjid Ar Rashid Islamic Teaching Center in Beacon on Main Street near the Beacon Natural Market and across from the Post Office. The profile was in the paper’s weekly Q&A section. The interview was excerpted from the original episode interview by Zach Rogers, host and creator of the podcast “Beaconites!”

He recalls how the center has been in Beacon for more than 30 years. “The composition of the mosque was mostly African American, with a couple of Egyptian and maybe one Pakistani family. Today there’s a wide range of people who come. The number of families is anywhere from 150 to 200. You won’t see them at one time unless it’s a celebration like what we call Eid — we have two every year — or Ramadan.”

He encourages people to come to the mosque, and learn about their events, like this one last month on Women’s Health. He said during the interview: “We have made a very strong effort to let the people know that our mosque is approachable. You can come in; there are no rules that say you have to be a Muslim. We want to let the people know that we are supportive of the community. We try to demonstrate the best of character and try to be sensitive, especially to our neighbors. In Islam, neighbors are very important.”

There is a Family Day at the mosque today (Sunday, November 28, 2021 at 1pm. Details are here, and people are encouraged to bring a dish. Read the excerpted interview at Highlands Current, and listen to it in full at Beaconites!.

Local Links To Help...And The Retail Therapy Guide 8/27/2021

All hearts and eyes are with Afghanistan as troops and veterans work to save as many Americans and Afghans as possible. Coverage in national media including the Washington Post, the BBC and NPR have been following different details as events unfold. New stories, like this one are coming out: "An army of veterans and volunteers organizes online to evacuate Afghans, from thousands of miles away" ALBB is looking for local resources who are helping with refugee resettlement so that we can promote it. If you know of a local group who is helping, please also let us know. ALBB's poetic writer, Izdihar Dabashi, shared a fundraiser from a local resource, Columbia Muslim Students Association (MSA). Izdihar is a graduate of Marist in Psychology and Neuropsychology, and a Masters student at Columbia studying Psychology, Neuroscience, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Columbia MSA says: "In response to the disastrous earthquake in southern Haiti and political/humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, Columbia MSA is raising funds to support response & recovery in Haiti and Hazara refugees fleeing Afghanistan. The proceeds from this fundraiser will be evenly distributed to charity organizations Hope for Haiti and GIFT Organization's Refugee Sponsorship services. "GIFT Organization is a CRA registered charity in Ontario, Canada. In light of the Canadian government allowing 20,000 Afghan refugees to settle in the country, a coalition of Canadian Hazara community organizations and North American Islamic Centers have made a goal to sponsor 20 Hazara families to settle in Canada, using GIFT as an intermediary fund. This fundraiser is focused on sponsoring Hazara Afghans, an ethnic minotiry that has long been persecuted by the Taliban. Hazaras are targeted because 1. many are Shia Muslims, 2. they have distinctive ethnic roots and 3. they have separate economic and political origins." Information >   THE EVENTS + RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE Edited and Written By Teslie Andrade and Katie Hellmuth Martin You can sponsor this Event Guide with your event, for extra promotion of it! If you'd like to guarantee to see your entertainment event listed here, book an Event Promotion Advertising spot here. Black Trans Lives Matter: Rally & Ritual Day: Friday, August 27, 2021 Time: 6pm Location: Poughkeepsie Rally and Ritual Friday at 6pm in Poughkeepsie. Day: Saturday, August 28, 2021 Virtual Black August Teach-in on Saturday at 4pm! Link to register for the teach in: http://bit.ly/BlackAugustTeachIn Information > Dutchess Fair Days: Tuesday, August 24, 2021 - Sunday, August 29, 2021 Time: 10am - 10pm Location: Street Address: 6550 Spring Brook Avenue – Rhinebeck, NY 12572 GPS Address: 6636 Route 9 – Rhinebeck, NY 12572 (Gate #1 Entrance All Events) Pop-Up Vaccination opportunities are at the fair. ALBB recommends you wear a mask when indoors or under a tight-fitting structure waiting in line. Also, when waiting in line, make your own social bubble away from the person in front of you. While venues may not be creating visuals to space people out in line, try to work together to remember to give space. Information > High School Musical Jr Day: August 27 & 28, 2021 Times: Friday, August 27 at 6:00pm - Sharpay Cast Saturday, August 28 at 11:00am - Ryan Cast Saturday, August 28 at 2:00pm - Sharpay Cast Saturday, August 28 at 5:00pm - Ryan Cast Location: University Settlement Camp 724 Wolcott Ave, Beacon, NY 12508 Beacon Performing Arts Center proudly presents High School Musical Jr. They will be spacing out Pods by 6 feet so households and pods can sit together. Face masks must be worn during check-in and whenever exiting your POD spot (e.g. to visit the restrooms or concessions, etc). *Rain date: August 29 Information > #TeachTruth Day: Saturday, August 28, 2021 Time: 12pm Location: Newburgh Colored Burial Ground, Broadway & Robinson Avenue (US 9W), Newburgh, NY Join a national movement of communities coming together at historic locations around the country to speak up against legislative efforts to ban teachers from teaching the truth about the role of racism, sexism, heterosexism, and oppression throughout U.S. history. Learn about your place in the fight for more Just and Equitable schools. Information > Paint & Sip at Two Way Brewing  Day: Sunday, August 29, 2021 Time: 6:30pm Location: 18 W Main St, Beacon, NY Information > Mindfulness Back To School Yoga Day: Sunday, August 29, 2021 Times: 11pm - 12pm (Youth in 5th grade & under) 12:30pm - 1:30pm (Youth in 6th grade & up) Location: Long Dock Park, Beacon NY Information >  Check our Calendar and Events Guide regularly for upcoming events throughout the week!   TWO WAY BREWING COMPANY 18 West Main St. Serving up cold beer, tasty dishes, and live music tonight at Two Way! Music starts at 7:30pm with The Judith Tulloch Trio, and The Flying Jib offers their delicious menu all night long. Paint & Sip happens this Sunday at 6:30pm! Name a better Sunday activity! See beers on tap here > PS: Don't forget about Trivia Thursdays! PPS: More live music coming up! Stay tuned OPEN: Thursday 4:00pm - 9:00pm Friday 4:00pm - 10:00pm Saturday 12:00pm - 9:00pm Sunday 1:00pm - 8:00pm Two Way Brewing Company is a Sponsor, thank you!   EAT CHURCH 3091 U.S. 9, Cold Spring, NY Banh Mi sandwiches from Eat Church look so good! They're always surprising us with goods at the Beacon Farmers Market! Stop in & see them there every Sunday! You can also catch Eat Church at Indsutrial Arts Brewing from Thursday - Sunday & at the grab-n-go fridge at Marbled Meat Shop in Coldspring. Basically, there are many opportunities to get your hands and mouth on the delicious offerings from Eat Church! Website > Eat Church is a Sponsor, thank you! BEACON BREAD COMPANY 193 Main St. Beacon Bread Company does it right! A full coffee & espresso bar, mouth-watering breakfast & lunch options (look at that photo to the right!), vegan breakfast & brunch options, and compliments, like the loaded potato tots & shishito peppers! 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Find more Farm Kit Info Here > OPEN HOURS: Thursday - Monday, 10am - 7pm Order Food > Homespun is a Sponsor, thank you!  HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY Have you stopped into El Nica (located inside the HV Food Hall) yet? El Nica serves Nicaraguan food like Carne Asada, Pinchos, Sweet Plantains & more! Not sure what to order? Check out their mix platter (pictured to the right) - A little bit of everything! Follow HV Food Hall's foodies: Miz Hattie's BBQ: Southern Style BBQ, from North Carolina. Order ahead via their Toast-app menu! Momo Valley: Himalayan Spiced Hand-Crafted MoMo & More Barb's Fry Works: Gourmet, small-batch-loaded fries. And salads. El Nica: Nicaraguan Food Roosevelt Bar: Cocktail Bar in a well-ventilated space with Outdoor Patio! Schmuck's Sweet Stuff: Local Ice Cream, Hot Waffles, and Other Sweet Stuff Hudson Valley Food Hall is a Sponsor, thank you! BAJA 328 328 Main Street, Beacon, NY Sometimes ya just don't feel like cooking and that's ok! Especially when Baja is in town! Chicken rise bowl, guacamole, salsa, steak quesadilla, and yucca fries & onions pictured here but MANY MANY more good options! Treat yourself & order delicious take-out from here. Or dine in! PS: Happy Hour Tues-Fri 4-6pm Check out their specialty drinks >  Check out the specials > BAJA 328 is a Sponsor, thank you! ZIATUN 244 Main St. We are so excited to see Ziatun back & hope they enjoyed their time off. After a wonderful start to the week, they shared updates on some recent changes! *Hours: Monday: 11am-9pm Tuesday & Wednesday: 11am-4pm (open for lunch) Thursday: 11am-9pm Friday: 11am-9pm Saturday: 11am-9pm Sunday: 11am-8pm  *They close for an hour Thursday-Monday from 3-4 pm to reset for dinner service* *Ziatun is no longer affiliated with Grubhub & Ubereats! You can conveniently order & pay through their website or the “Order Food” button in their bio *Lastly! They are not taking reservations for lunch or dinner. Dining is first-come-first-served in the dining room as well as the outdoor patio. They welcome all room rentals and catering inquiries! Menu >  Order Online >  Ziatun is a Sponsor, thank you!   DIRTY BACCHUS 380 Main Street, Beacon One should endure a night by drinking good French wine from Dirty Bacchus! They have lots of carefully curated French wines, from affordable daily drinkers to the ethereal and rare. Every wine on the shelves at Dirty Bacchus is low-intervention, organic or biodynamic, sustainably farmed, and vegan. Stop in! PS: Dirty Bacchus is hiring! HOURS: Mon-Wed: 12-6pm Thur- Sat: 11am-7pm Sun: 12-5pm Dirty Bacchus is a Sponsor, thank you! BINNACLE BOOKS 321 Main Street, Beacon Thrilling! Stranger than fiction! Campfire tales for miles. And of course, happy customers at Binnacle Books always! Larry Kaniut, “Alaska Bear Tales”. Binnacle specializes in used and new literature, poetry, literary nonfiction, political history, art, drama, philosophy, graphic novels, and children's books. Is there a particular title you're interested in? Let Binnacle know. If they don't have it, they'd be happy to order it for you. NOW *Open daily! Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, thank you!   BRETT'S HARDWARE 18 West Main Street, Beacon Need a restock on your Mrs. Meyer’s products? Brett's has devoted a whole shelving section to the variety of aromas and purpose cleaners. From laundry detergent to dish soap to cleaning fluid you can dilute in the mop water, your cleaning closet will be well-stocked in no time. And no worries, if Mrs. Meyers isn’t your thing, Brett's has several other cleaning brands to choose from. Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you! LUXE OPTIQUE 181-183 Main Street, Beacon Luxe Optique is all about bringing you the latest & greatest in eyewear from some of the best collections in the world. Just when you think they've done it... they do it again! Sometimes the frame selection is just that easy. We are obsessed with these & they look fabulous! Luxe is a full-service optical store and an Optometrist is always on-site for eye exams. Stop in today to see their fabulous collections in store!⁠ HOURS: Monday: 10am–5pm Tues-Saturday:10am–6pm Sunday: 11am-4pm Shop Online > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you! LA MÉRE CLOTHING AND GOODS 470 Main Street, Beacon Fresh arrivals at La Mere!! Always the best! Especially when some of the new arrivals include popular items that are back in stock like the black Cut Out Dress! Available now. Stop in. New Arrivals Weekly / Free Shipping Download their free app in the iTunes Store PS: Everything is under $100!! PPS: Men's clothing is available now! Shop Online > La Mere is a Sponsor, thank you! Yanarella Dance Studio 312 Main St., Beacon, NY Teacher Spotlight Sue has been dancing since she was 5 years old.  Her first dance lesson was at Yanarella School of Dance and that is where she spent all of her dancing years.  She attended many dance conventions, NADAA, Dance Caravan, and was even a guest teacher at some of those conventions. 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Muslims Celebrate Eid In Beacon For End Of Ramadan

Photo Credit: Junior ZayEd

Junior Zayed pictured with his daughters, who decided to dress up, including scarves, during Ramadan.
Photo Credit: Junior Zayed

Today was a celebration of the end of Ramadan for Muslims, and the community was celebrating and praying in Beacon. Said one local, Junior Zayed in his Instagram along with this photo pictured above: “We live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We would like to thank the City of Beacon Police Department for being here with us while we pray in peace in our place of worship with our families, friends and community.”

More About Eid: Izzy Tells Us

To learn more about Eid, we reached out to A Little Beacon Blog writer Izdihar Dabashi. She explains what Beacon Muslims have been doing today, and why: “Muslims have two Eid holidays: Today is Eid Al-Fitr, which is the first day to break fast following the holy month of Ramadan. Eid Al-Fitr celebrates the completion of Ramadan. We start the day by praying at the mosque for Allah (God) to accept our fast, charity, and good deeds during Ramadan. Each Muslim person donates money to the poor, and it’s common for people to send money to feed the poor or slaughter (in a humane and clean method, which makes it halal) a lamb to feed the poor. Eid is spent with family, some of us go to the park, others to restaurants, some choose to just stay at home and have family over.

“Muslims in Beacon prayed the Eid prayer around 9:30 am today. The Beacon Police actually parked across the street from Masjid Ar-Rashid to keep watch over the mosque. Many of us greatly appreciate their efforts and peaceful involvement in the Muslim community.”

According to Izdihar, if you are passing someone who is recognizing the day, you could say to them: “Eid Mubarak” or even just “Happy Eid.”

More About Ramadan

We invited Izdihar to explain Ramadan in her own words, to help connect the holidays:

“Ramadan is the holy month of Islam. It is a month of fast from sunrise to sundown. Muslims not only restrain from food and drink, but also from unnecessary distractions to your faith and community such as music, excessive attention to appearance and/or TV, etc.

“During this month, your fast will not be accepted if you are unkind to someone, use foul language, rude or aggressive behavior, etc. You try to limit bad deeds, and focus on consistently committing good deeds. It is a month meant to be experienced in peace, and connect you to Allah (God) as well as the people around you.

“Muslims donate food and money to the poor. Some will try to focus on a family to actively feed. Each night, Muslims who are able to make it to the mosque after sundown will pray Ramadan prayers to ask for forgiveness, peace and relief in the world, and whatever else an individual would like to pray for.

“The purpose of Ramadan is to connect you to your faith, and community. It teaches a Muslim empathy for the hungry, and makes them conscious of their role in community and earth in general. A proper Muslim role is meant to be filled with peace, generosity, kindness, and humbleness.”

Beauty In Beacon As People Respond To Hate Flyers With Interfaith Event: "One Beacon"

Photo Credits: Frank Ritter Photography

Before Digging Into This Article, Here’s a Letter from the Editor Providing Context:

Letter from the Editor:
The article below was written in November 2018 by Izdihar Dabashi, who attended “One Beacon,” an interfaith event. Before you read about the experience from her perspective, we’d like to bring you up to speed on why the event was created in the first place. Normally, we’d publish this reporting closer to the event, but with the holidays, time got crunched. Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and in the spirit of that, we are publishing this story now.

In October 2018, flyers promoting racism and antisemitism were posted onto two churches in Beacon: the First Presbyterian and Salem Tabernacle. This intrusive act spooked anyone who learned about it or anyone who visits the churches on a regular basis.

In response, clergy of different faiths called each other immediately to show their support, and lead people to a unified place in an interfaith event called “One Beacon.” The event provided a platform for reflections and exhortations from several speakers from the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities in Beacon, in addition to Beacon’s Mayor, Randy Casale.

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And Now, for Izdihar Dabashi’s Article Coverage of “One Beacon”

On the 1st of November, 2018, an interfaith event called "One Beacon" was held at the Salem Tabernacle in response to the antisemitic flyers that marred doors of worship in Beacon at the First Presbyterian Church and the Salem Tabernacle, as well as on the grounds of education including Marist College in the Hudson Valley (see this article for descriptions of those flyers).

Speakers at the “One Beacon” event in November 2018, from left to right: Mayor Randy Casale, Pastor Bill Dandreano of Salem Tabernacle, Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek of Beacon Hebrew Alliance, and Pastor Ben Larson-Wolbrink of First Presbyterian Church. Racist and antisemitic flyers had been posted onto the First Presbyterian Churce and Salem Tabernacle. “One Beacon” was the group response to that.
Photo Credit: Frank Ritter Photography

“One Beacon” was planned before the tragedy that occurred inside of the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh that week. So it was coincidence that this event to celebrate the idea of belonging to the same community - despite differences of religion, gender, race, etc. - arrived at the right time to act as a balm for the distress present on our screens and appearing in broad daylight on our streets. Mayor Randy Casale and Pastor Ben Larson-Wolbrink said they drew a parallel conclusion once the hate flyers came to their attention: Call the police and call the clergy.

Clergy members in attendance at “One Beacon” included Pastor Bill Dandreano of Salem Tabernacle, Pastor Ben Larson-Wolbrink of First Presbyterian Church, Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek of Beacon Hebrew Alliance, Imam Abdullah Abdul Wajid of Masjid Ar-Rashid, and Pastor Ronald O. Perry of Springfield Baptist Church. Mayor Randy Casale’s wide smile could be found in constant conversation. Additionally, state Sen. Sue Serino and her son made an appearance during the event.

All were welcome to “One Beacon,” but as I approached the Salem Tabernacle, I could not help but be mindful of the scarf wrapped around my head, expecting awkward stares at the Muslim girl in a church. To my pleasant surprise, my tentative gaze was met by welcoming faces ushering me inside the warm church to avoid the November cold. Silver towers of food set atop white-clothed tables were among the crowds of people, and were part of our dinner that accompanied the evening.

I briefly connected my gaze to Ginger, Pastor Bill’s mother, and not a blink later she had me in a strong embrace. Every polite nod or handshake I offered was replaced by hugs, diminishing the boundaries of the unfamiliar.

Attendees of the “One Beacon” event. From left: Rayham Dabashi, Sergio Perez (an art teacher at Beacon High School), and Izdihar Dabashi, the author of this article.
Photo Credit: Frank Ritter Photography

Past the doors separating the entry hall, the nave (the central part of a church) was filled with greetings and laughter decorating the ivory walls with invisible warmth.

A rogue door covered in chipped paint rested against the stage, in front of where we were to all sit. The stage and area in front of it was lined with dense colorful flowers. Sparse splinters and flutters of the chipped paint from the lonely door disrupted the blue velvet carpet. It was an odd sight, but I ignored the peculiarity.

As I made my way down the seating area where dinner and a presentation on a screen were to be included, I was stopped every few steps by introductions and strangers offering me their seats and spots at their table, the smile on my face never waning as I became increasingly aware of the welcoming nature of familiar faces and complete strangers. Venturing further into the brightly lit space, I was seated at a table across from the clergy of Beacon.

The event featured speakers giving their piece on today’s stinging political climate affecting social patterns, with uplifting music in Hebrew and English between speakers. Pastor Bill highlighted the heavy weight of police brutality, particularly the strained relationship between law enforcement and the black community.

Pastor Bill humorously began a rant on how being pulled over while driving is a nuisance, an inconvenient blip in his day. He listed the first three thoughts springing to mind when he gets pulled over:

• His insurance price increasing.

• The annoyance that comes with being late.

• Where in the world is his registration.

Pastor Bill recalled ranting to his friend on this topic one afternoon. Pastor Bill’s perspective on matters of police brutality changed once his friend of color shared the thoughts that go through his mind when he gets pulled over. His friend’s first thoughts when getting pulled over ring sharp in his mind, and are far more overwhelming:

• His wallet is in his back pocket, but how should he reach for it (and the registration) if he wants his hands to be in clear view.

• What is going to happen if he doesn’t find his registration, if he reaches down to grab his wallet and only one hand is in clear view?

• What is going to happen if he doesn't make it home today?

Presenting to the “One Beacon” event. From left: Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek and Pastor Bill Dandreano.
Photo Credit: Frank Ritter Photography

From there, Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek steered the conversation to reflect on the murders that occurred in the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, victims of an unjust cause. He led a beautiful traditional Prayer of the Dead, translating Hebrew into English, explaining the prayer is meant to seek comfort in God. Pain glistened in several pairs of eyes, the champagne lights illuminating the depths of grief.

Mayor Randy shed hope through comparison of the Beacon we live in today and the version he lived in during his youth:

• The police riots

• The clash of minorities and Caucasians in the middle and high school

• The division of different groups clustered in the elementary schools.

Mayor Randy gave credit to his mentor, late Mayor Robert Cahill, for the reminder that “when people get away from their religion, it leads them astray;” prompting both mayors to seek control and peace by reaching out to the clergy. Instead of covering up hate, directly addressing tension and opening our minds will pave the way to harmony.

From left: Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek, Imam Hasan MuMuin, Waheebah Wajid, and Imam Abdullah Wajid.
Photo Credit: Frank Ritter Photography

Imam Abdullah Abdul Wajid, an imam of the traditional form of Islam, took his time to reinforce the similarities between the monotheistic faiths and how hate crimes against one religion affect all. As acknowledged by the other members of clergy, he emphasized that no one is safe, saying: “It’s ‘them’ today, and you tomorrow.”

He unraveled the meaning behind a Hadith (a collection of records of sayings, actions, and descriptions given by the Prophet Muhammed), concluding there is good to every situation. The violence and strains of political tension that can surface in mainstream media only push people to stand together for support, as indicated in the way the Muslim community in Pittsburgh raised money to support the victims in the Tree of Life synagogue, and offered to provide security to the temple. Little seeds of hate can only become trees if communities choose to nurture their sinful growth.

While the words of the speakers were enlightening, the strength of the resounding energy ricocheting off the walls in the grand room was overwhelming during Salaam-Shalom, the song title meaning “peace” in Arabic and Hebrew. Voices merged with the flow of instruments, filling the room with brightness as the crowd swayed as one.

People’s thoughts tacked onto a door which became part of the presentation during “One Beacon.”
Photo Credit: Frank Ritter Photography

Through all the music, that same broken door stood there, alone. It was a silent observer of the performances. It stood alone and blue from the hue of the icebreaker topics put on a screen in front of us during dinner, and its frayed skeleton was still present at the end of the event. The analogy of the ugly door was still lost after Pastor Bill pointed it out, proclaiming little seeds of hate grow into overbearing trees.

Pastor Bill clarified that to extinguish the flames of hate, we must introduce honesty. Squares of paper with atonements scratched in blue ink soon masked the ugly door, as lines of people tacked their sins onto the wood, shifting the splintering mess into something beautified by raw honesty.

Every time a speaker stood on stage, half of my attention was fixed on the message they shared. The other half allowed my eyes to wander around the room, in stunning awe of the genuine care and empathy on various faces. There was a complete absence of division among the clergy, the event staffers, and the attendees. The kitchen held the same vibrant energy as the main room - the people supplying the food fueled by the significance of this event.

Clergy members greeted each other with an encouraging embrace as they passed the microphone back and forth on their shared stage. Every speaker used humor to connect with the audience, while not straying too far from the seriousness of today’s social problems. It was clear that the city is working to engage with the community to prevent hate.

The "One Beacon" interfaith event reminded Beacon residents that there are allies and acceptance present in this small city, as evidenced by the many different houses of God peacefully sharing Main Street. The mosque, the church, the temple - all open to providing a sanctuary to a diversity of faiths, unified through a humble city.