From Doyle Hodges:

Last week, Emily and I spent the night with Haris and Khansa Raja and their three boys, as part of the #29for29 initiative, where veterans spend an evening with a local Muslim family during Ramadan. We joined them in a fabulous Iftar meal as they broke the fast and went with Haris to Ahmadiyya Mosque. 

At the mosque I was warmly welcomed by many in the congregation, including a man named Zaid, who looked at me earnestly and said: “Welcome—this is your mosque. You are always welcome here to pray in any manner you like.” His eyes twinkled as he added, “But please wear clothes!” I was repeatedly thanked for my service to our country by both the Imam and members of the congregation. 

Back at Haris and Khansa’s home, we awoke before dawn to share in Suhoor, the morning meal. We left having made new friends and observed something special.

Although my service has taken me around the world—and I have visited beautiful mosques as cultural or historical sites—I had never before attended prayers or participated in an observance of Ramadan. Many portrayals of Islam in television, culture, and politics seem to suggest that it is foreign and scary. But I can’t think of many things more American than a proud father, a warm welcome, and a magnificent home-cooked meal. 

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From Emily Hodges:

Doyle and I had the great honor this week of participating in the #29for29 initiative coordinated by Veterans for American Ideals (VFAI), a nonpartisan group of veterans founded by our friend Scott Cooper. VFAI is dedicated to the principle that America is strongest when its policies and actions match its ideals. As part of this mission, the #29for29 project aims to connect American Muslim communities with military and veteran families through the shared experience of celebrating Ramadan.

We were matched with the Raja family, a Muslim family in the DC area, and invited to participate in their celebration. Haris and his wife Khansa invited us to break the fast with them at iftar, the evening meal after their day of fasting. We visited the Ahmadiyya Mosque and stayed overnight in their beautiful home. Lastly, we shared an early morning meal before parting ways. It was a truly wonderful experience: chatting with Khansa and her playful young sons (the oldest of whom knows more about cricket than Scott Cooper knows about baseball), enjoying an extraordinary dinner—with three desserts!—and hearty breakfast, and observing Isha’a prayers at the mosque. Throughout our stay, we were warmly welcomed.

The Raja family even invited us back for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr later this month. It was an evening of firsts for me—the first time I’ve ever worn a headscarf, my first time in a mosque, and my first time enjoying the many and varied flavors of Pakistani cuisine. I could go on and on about the food so I will stop here…

All in all, it was an amazing experience.  We are so grateful to Haris Raja and his family, Scott and everyone at VFAI, and to all who participated in this event.