by Leann Holt
Daily Lobo
It is rare to see Muslims, Jews and Christians together in a place of worship, much less eating dinner together.
But UNM's Muslim Student Association, together with the Islamic Center of New Mexico, have teamed up to bring the community together to help people better understand each other, all while raising money for a local charity.
The Fast-a-Thon is a three-day voluntary fast by non-Muslims who choose to join people practicing the religion. The event began Monday and ended Thursday. Proceeds from the suggested $5 donation go to the Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico.
"We're inviting you to our house - our place of worship - to get to know us and help us serve that part of our community that is in need," said Abdul Rauf Campos-Marquetti, general secretary of the Islamic Center.
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The Islamic month of Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. Fasting and giving to the needy are two of the five pillars of Islam.
"We thought it was a great idea because of these times when crazy things are being said about Muslims," Campos-Marquetti said of the decision to bring the event to Albuquerque. "We wanted to tell our community the positive things about Islam."
He said Muslim-Americans are often misunderstood in this country.
"We're asking to be judged by our own actions," he said.
Mujib Sardar said the University's Muslim Student Association wanted to participate in the Fast-a-Thon to educate fellow students about their way of life.
"People think this is a religion of violence," Sardar said. "If we had done a better job informing people about Islam, we would not have had the backlash we did after September 11."
Sardar said Ramadan is not just about fasting, but also a time for Muslims to improve its personality and character. That's why UNM football player Art Haynes said he is observing the holy holiday.
"I became a Muslim so I could find myself," Haynes said. "I fast so that I can have mind and body control and be a better person."
Haynes said it is difficult to go without water during football practice, but his devotion to the religion motivates him.
Kathleen O'Malley, a local psychotherapist, is taking part in the Fast-a-Thon even though she is not Muslim.
"I wanted to honor and respect another faith tradition, especially one that is being attacked and harassed because it is a religion people are worried about right now," O'Malley said. "It's another way of acknowledging we are all the same."
Local Jewish Rabbi Lynn Gottlied joined the Muslims during their fast-breaking meal Wednesday evening to show there is a "deep spiritual fellowship" between the Albuquerque mosque and her synagogue.
"Religious intolerance is only overcome by personal relationships," Gottlied said. "It's a tragedy that we're struggling with so many issues that divide us. We should use our religious faith to help conquer those issues."
