Celebrating Unity and Dialogue: Atlantic Institute’s 2025 Ramadan Dinner Series

Each year, the Atlantic Institute brings people of diverse faiths and backgrounds together to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan through a powerful series of community dinners. In 2025, these gatherings took place across Jacksonville, Florida, hosted in partnership with local churches, community organizations, and media partners. With food, fellowship, and thoughtful conversation, each dinner served as a platform for interfaith dialogue, cultural understanding, and human connection.

Evening Without Labels: A Ramadan Dinner for Unity and Understanding

Partnering with 904WARD and local leaders Sel and Angie Buyuksarac, the Atlantic Institute hosted a moving event themed “Evening Without Labels.” Guests gathered to break bread and engage in heartfelt discussions on empathy, diversity, and shared humanity. An inspiring panel explored how simple acts of hospitality can break down social barriers and foster inclusion across communities.

WJCT Ramadan Dinner

The WJCT Ramadan Dinner stood out as a cornerstone event of this year’s Ramadan Series. Hosted at the WJCT studios in collaboration with GlobalJax, OneJax, and WJCT Public Media, this signature evening drew a large and diverse crowd from across Jacksonville. It served as a vibrant example of how Ramadan can bring people of all backgrounds together to celebrate shared values of compassion, connection, and peace.

Opening remarks by Sel Buyuksarac highlighted the Atlantic Institute’s decade-long tradition of using Ramadan dinners as a platform for intercultural dialogue and understanding. The evening featured a compelling panel discussion moderated by local leaders and interfaith advocates, who addressed timely topics including combating religious stereotypes, nurturing cross-cultural empathy, and promoting inclusive community engagement. Panelists shared personal stories and practical strategies, sparking meaningful insights from the audience. followed by interactive roundtable sessions where attendees engaged in honest, open conversations about unity and coexistence.

The energy and engagement at WJCT made this event a clear highlight of the series—an evening that reminded everyone present that understanding begins with listening, and community grows through dialogue.

MOSH Iftar: A Night of Learning and Community

For the second consecutive year, the Museum of Science & History (MOSH) partnered with the Atlantic Institute and Istanbul Center to host a special Ramadan dinner that combined education with interfaith connection. Held on March 25, this evening welcomed guests into a vibrant space for learning, dialogue, and celebration.

The program began with an engaging educational presentation about Ramadan, emphasizing its significance as a time of spiritual reflection, personal growth, and community unity. Guests participated in a live Q&A session that offered valuable insights into Ramadan’s traditions and how they promote empathy and collective well-being.

Following the presentation, guests shared a delicious iftar meal, exchanging stories and perspectives in the museum’s welcoming atmosphere. The event reflected the Atlantic Institute’s continued commitment to fostering understanding through accessible, community-based experiences.

Community Iftar with Istanbul Center

The Atlantic Institute and Istanbul Center came together for a joyful community dinner featuring keynote speaker Jody Ray, former Mission Pastor at Chets Creek Church and now with the National Youth Advocate Program. Ray reflected on the deeper meaning of fasting and the role of Ramadan in cultivating empathy and compassion. Guests left inspired to carry those values into their daily lives.

A Heartwarming Night at Hodges Presbyterian Church

In collaboration with Hodges Presbyterian Church, the Atlantic Institute hosted a heartfelt Ramadan dinner filled with reflection and warmth. Rev. Dr. Jonathan Swanson, known for his role in the Institute’s Scriptural Reasoning series, brought depth and wisdom to the evening’s interfaith discussions. Volunteers from both organizations helped foster a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.

First-Ever Iftar at Mandarin United Methodist Church

Making history, Mandarin United Methodist Church opened its doors to its first Ramadan dinner, organized by the Atlantic Institute. The evening celebrated the beauty of interfaith community, filled with stories, smiles, and shared appreciation of Ramadan’s spiritual significance. The church’s hospitality and the diverse attendance made the night especially meaningful.

Each dinner in the 2025 Ramadan Series was a testament to Atlantic Institute’s mission: promoting peace, dialogue, and respect across cultures and faiths. These evenings were not just about food—they were about breaking barriers, listening deeply, and discovering our shared values as neighbors and fellow human beings.