Source: The Oregonian
On November 11, 2002 The Oregonian reported that "last year, the interfaith iftar at Wilson High School came two months after Sept. 11.... The iftar, a community celebration of the meal that breaks Muslims' daily fast during Ramadan, was a success. But Neighborhood House, the Southwest Portland agency that hosted it, didn't plan on a repeat. At least not until federal authorities indicted six local Muslims for conspiring to wage war against the United States and to support terrorism. 'We almost needed to do it more this year,' said [Rick] Nitti, executive director of Neighborhood House, a social services agency whose clients include Muslims. Enough people agreed with him to fill dozens of tables Sunday in the Wilson High cafeteria. They heard Muslims talk about their faith and its similarities to Christianity and Judaism, and they shared plates of chicken and rice with strangers. The event was cosponsored by the Islamic Society of Greater Portland, with help from Bilal mosque in Beaverton, Congregation Neveh Shalom and several Christian churches."