Muslims around the world continue to observe Ramadan, a month that involves reflection, prayer, and fasting. We are celebrating alongside our Muslim neighbors with our #29for29 initiative, in partnership with Mansoor Shams of MuslimMarine.org, which utilizes the holy month to promote understanding and to break down long-held misconceptions about Islam. Check out Voice of America’s profile on the initiative, featuring Mansoor and VFAI’s founder Scott Cooper, here.

By Will Quinn

Recently, I was invited to visit a local mosque by the imam, Imam Hammad. The invitation came as part of the 29 for 29 Ramadan Initiative, a project bringing twenty-nine veterans to the homes of American Muslim families for the twenty-nine nights of Ramadan. Its aim is to help non-Muslim Americans get a glimpse into one of the holiest of holidays of some of their neighbors, and to build bridges between communities in the process. I accepted Imam Hammad’s invitation gladly.

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. 

by Brett Sheats

Last week I participated in the '29/29 Ramadan Initiative.' I was one of 29 veterans nationwide who spent an evening with a Muslim host family to celebrate Ramadan with them. I traveled to Silver Spring, Maryland to the Baitur Rahman mosque, part of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community.

My hosts, Imam Azhar Haneef and Abdul Kudus Yahaya, were incredibly warm and gracious. Imam Azhar is the head missionary for the entire Ahmadiyya faith in North America. Abdul Kudus is a member of the mosque and an U.S. Army veteran.

By Eric Gardiner 

By Michael Trudeau

Panning around the room, two old men bobbed their heads as they spoke together. Maybe they were talking about the weather, or about how much things have changed since they were young—the subject didn’t matter. While the old men spoke, mischievous pre-teen boys were rough housing (as all young boys do) while their fathers looked on. “This won’t end well,” they said.

Thanks to efforts by Vets for American Ideals leaders in Colorado—in partnership with the International Rescue Committee in Denver—refugees and Special Immigrant Visa recipients will soon be eligible for in-state tuition at Colorado colleges.

To commemorate Ramadan, MuslimMarine.org and Vets for American Ideals launched the “29 for 29 Ramadan Initiative,” or #29for29, a project bringing 29 U.S.

Earlier this month, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the United States will not only continue separating children and parents at the border, it will prosecute adult asylum seekers instead of letting them prove they’re in danger in their countries of origin.

By Rick Burns