On March 1, Silver Sage Foundation Intercultural Dialogue gathered hearts once again for its 3rd Annual Signature Iftar Dinner; an evening where faith, culture, and friendship met around one table.
As the sun gently surrendered to the desert horizon, guests arrived with warm greetings and open hearts. Among them was the Honorable Shelley Berkley, whose presence honored the spirit of unity that defines our city. We were also privileged to welcome Mr. Marvin Gawryn, Executive Director of the Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada, Henderson Fire Chief Scott Vivier, and many other distinguished faith and community leaders who stood with us in solidarity and friendship.
Ramadan is a month of reflection and gratitude; and Iftar is its daily gift: the moment when patience turns into thanksgiving. As the call to prayer echoed softly and the fast was broken with dates and water, silence carried a sacred weight. It was not merely hunger being satisfied; it was hearts recognizing one another in shared humanity.
The evening unfolded like a gentle tapestry of cultures. After dinner, traditional Turkish coffee was prepared and served in its authentic style; slow, fragrant, intentional; inviting conversation to linger and friendships to deepen. Alongside it, delicate slices of Turkish baklava offered sweetness, reminding us that hospitality is an art shaped by centuries of care.
Then came the breath of the Ney; the traditional Turkish reed flute; its sound rising softly like a prayer carried on wind. The melody seemed to speak without words, telling stories of longing, devotion, and hope. In another corner of the hall, an artist carefully inscribed the names of our guests in elegant calligraphy, each stroke deliberate and graceful. Watching one’s own name transformed into art became a quiet reminder: every individual carries beauty, every name carries dignity.
In her closing remarks, Mayor Shelley Berkley shared how happy she was to attend our program. She reflected that Las Vegas is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and how beautiful it was to witness that diversity embodied before her eyes; people of different faiths, cultures, and backgrounds sitting at the same table and dining together. With warmth and sincerity, she expressed her desire to continue participating in our future gatherings, saying, “Please invite me again. I would love to attend.” Her words were not only encouraging; they affirmed the value of building spaces where diversity is celebrated through genuine connection.
Throughout the evening, conversations crossed traditions, titles softened into friendships, and differences became bridges rather than barriers. Faith was not debated; it was lived; through kindness, attentive listening, and shared presence.
The 3rd Annual Signature Iftar Dinner was more than a program. It was a testimony that in a world often hurried and divided, there are still spaces where people gather with sincerity. Spaces where diversity is not merely acknowledged, but cherished. Spaces where the table becomes a symbol of something greater; shared purpose, shared hope, shared future.

On February 27, 2026, an evening of light and friendship unfolded in Henderson as Silver Sage Foundation gathered with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a heartfelt Iftar during the sacred month of Ramadan. For the second year in a row, our Latter-day Saint friends opened their house of worship not only as gracious hosts, but as true partners in fellowship. Side by side, we set the tables, prepared the meal, and awaited the sunset together in quiet, shared anticipation; hearts aligned in purpose long before the fast was broken. The warmth in the room could be felt long before the first date was tasted.
We are grateful for the presence of Michelle Romero, along with Henderson Councilmen Dan Stewart and Jim Seebock, whose attendance reflected the spirit of unity that defines our city.
A special highlight of the evening was Ms. Mukaddes’ engaging presentation on understanding Ramadan. With clarity and grace, she explained that fasting is more than abstaining from food and drink; it is a discipline of gratitude, empathy, and spiritual refinement.
We are deeply grateful to Ms. Allison Egbert, Mr. Martin Egbert, and Ryan Woodward for partnering with us so wholeheartedly and for opening not only their place of worship, but their hearts. Their sincerity, generosity, and gracious hospitality transformed a simple gathering into something far more meaningful; a true experience of shared belonging.
Silver Sage Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to every individual who made this night possible. It was more than a meal. It was friendship in action; sincere, mutual, and rooted in faith; a living testament that when hearts open, communities flourish.