Clarkston, March 24, 2025 — The sun dipped below the horizon, signaling the end of another day of Ramadan fasting, as members of Georgia’s Rohingya community gathered for their second annual Interfaith Iftar Dinner. The event, hosted by the Burmese Rohingya Community of Georgia (BHRG), welcomed neighbors, local leaders, and friends to share a meal and deepen mutual understanding.
“We are happy to celebrate iftar with our friends and neighbors,” said Ayub Mohammad, president of the BHRG. “This is the second year that we host this event to share a meal and promote understanding.”
Founded in 2014 in Clarkston — a city known for its diverse refugee population — the BHRG serves the needs of a growing Rohingya community, offering crucial services like English language instruction and cultural orientation. Since 2012, an estimated 5,000 Rohingya refugees have resettled in the area, seeking safety from persecution in their homeland of Myanmar.
The BHRG frequently organizes food and clothing drives to support newly arrived immigrants, helping them navigate the challenges of resettlement. For many, these efforts are lifelines in the process of building new lives in unfamiliar territory.
Clarkston Mayor Beverly H. Burks, the evening’s guest of honor, praised the Rohingya community’s resilience and generosity.
“We are pleased to host the Rohingya community as they are often generous in giving back to the local community in Clarkston,” Burks said.
Guests enjoyed an array of traditional dishes and desserts, representing a blend of flavors from the Rohingya's heritage. For those gathered, the meal was more than just a chance to break fast — it was an opportunity to celebrate community, understanding, and solidarity in a city that has long served as a refuge for those starting anew.
