At a lively gathering in Lake Forest, Orange County law enforcement and Muslim community members shared a traditional dinner during the holy month of Ramadan.
They assembled for the Pacifica Institute’s annual Iftar, the meal where Muslims, fasting daily for Ramadan, break their fast at sunset. The interfaith gathering Tuesday night, March 18, was dedicated to “unity, appreciation and strengthening the bond” between law enforcement and the community, organizers said.
Attendees included police and officials from Anaheim, Irvine, Seal Beach, and Cal State Fullerton; the FBI, Homeland Security and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. O.C. Sheriff Don Barnes gave a keynote speech.
Law enforcement, members of the Muslim community and others line up for food during the Orange County Law Enforcement Iftar Dinner at the Anatolia Cultural Centers in Lake Forest on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Iftar is the fast-breaking evening meal eaten by Muslims at sunset during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The event was hosted by the Pacifica Institute. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Seyma Saritoprak, left, and her husband Murat Guner, pray during the call to prayer at the Orange County Law Enforcement Iftar Dinner at the Anatolia Cultural Centers in Lake Forest on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Iftar is the fast-breaking evening meal eaten by Muslims at sunset during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The event was hosted by the Pacifica Institute. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Musicians Hamza, left, plays an Ud and Betul plays a New during the Orange County Law Enforcement Iftar Dinner at the Anatolia Cultural Centers in Lake Forest on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Iftar is the fast-breaking evening meal eaten by Muslims at sunset during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The event was hosted by the Pacifica Institute. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes speaks during the Orange County Law Enforcement Iftar Dinner at the Anatolia Cultural Centers in Lake Forest on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Iftar is the fast-breaking evening meal eaten by Muslims at sunset during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The event was hosted by the Pacifica Institute. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Law enforcement, members of the Muslim community and others share a meal during the Orange County Law Enforcement Iftar Dinner at the Anatolia Cultural Centers in Lake Forest on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Iftar is the fast-breaking evening meal eaten by Muslims at sunset during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The event was hosted by the Pacifica Institute. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange County Deputy P. Flores, center, and Lt. Cruz Alday of Cal State Fullerton’s Police Department speak with members of the Muslim community during the Orange County Law Enforcement Iftar Dinner at the Anatolia Cultural Centers in Lake Forest on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Iftar is the fast-breaking evening meal eaten by Muslims at sunset during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The event was hosted by the Pacifica Institute. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Recep Emra holds out his hands during the call to prayer during the Orange County Law Enforcement Iftar Dinner at the Anatolia Cultural Centers in Lake Forest on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Iftar is the fast-breaking evening meal eaten by Muslims at sunset during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The event was hosted by the Pacifica Institute. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Seyma Saritoprak, left, and her husband Murat Guner, center, sit with Seal Beach Police Chief Michael Henderson as the setting sun is seen through the window during the Orange County Law Enforcement Iftar Dinner at the Anatolia Cultural Centers in Lake Forest on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Iftar is the fast-breaking evening meal eaten by Muslims at sunset during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The event was hosted by the Pacifica Institute. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The menu and schedule for the Orange County Law Enforcement Iftar Dinner at the Anatolia Cultural Centers in Lake Forest on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Iftar is the fast-breaking evening meal eaten by Muslims at sunset during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The event was hosted by the Pacifica Institute. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cal State Fullerton Police Chief Anthony Frisbee, center, and Seal Beach Police Corporal Ben Jaipream join members of the Muslim community for a meal during the Orange County Law Enforcement Iftar Dinner at the Anatolia Cultural Centers in Lake Forest on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Iftar is the fast-breaking evening meal eaten by Muslims at sunset during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The event was hosted by the Pacifica Institute. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Show Caption1 of 10Law enforcement, members of the Muslim community and others line up for food during the Orange County Law Enforcement Iftar Dinner at the Anatolia Cultural Centers in Lake Forest on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Iftar is the fast-breaking evening meal eaten by Muslims at sunset during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The event was hosted by the Pacifica Institute. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
ExpandThe Pacifica Institute, which promotes interreligious dialogue and social justice causes, has hosted the iftar meal with leaders since 2017, said executive director Atilla Kahveci. The nonprofit regularly holds interfaith gatherings to foster community in Orange County.
“This iftar is a kind of a dinner where the faith community and law enforcement come together to witness the values of Ramadan,” Kahveci said. “Our mission is all about connecting different sections of society. Once we have that, we’re going to have a better future in Orange County and beyond.”
An informational video was shared about Ramadan, its customs and traditions. Imam Hamza Bilgic led Muslim attendees in the call to prayer — called “adhan” — to end the day’s fast. Non-Muslims were invited to watch.
After prayers, people gathered for a Turkish food dinner as volunteers played an oud, a Middle Eastern instrument similar to a guitar, and the ney, a reed flute. Chatter filled the room as the traditional live music was played.
Donations were also collected towards L.A. wildfire relief efforts.
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