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Muslims, Jews, Christians and Buddhists broke fast Thursday night for the beginning of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar marked by fasting. During the month of Ramadan, a billion Muslims around the world fast during the day to teach themselves obedience and learn sympathy for those who are less fortunate and in a constant state of hunger. On Thursday night, the Atlas Interfaith Foundation held its third annual Interfaith Ramadan Dinner. More than 200 representatives from churches, synagogues, mosques and temples were invited to participate. Also joining the dinner were distinguished guests, including Baton Rouge Mayor Melvin L. "Kip" Holden and University administrators and professors. The dinner began with the consumption of dates, a fruit traditionally eaten to end the fast. Attendees enjoyed salads, an entree of fish and vegetables and ended with caramel cheesecake and coffee while listening to key note speakers of different faiths. Key note speakers included the Rev. Steve Crump of the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge, Rabbi Stanton Zamek of Beth Shalom Synagogue, the Venerable Thich Dao Quang of Tam Bao Buddhist Temple and Imam Lawrence Abdul-Haqq of Islamic Slidell Masjid who gave the prayer of thanks for the meal. Attendants were assigned to tables where they mingled with people of different faiths. Mehmet Balman, president of the University's chapter of the Dove Interfaith Dialogue Organization, said people were specifically arranged in such a way that they would be with people of different faiths to create an open dialogue. Holden addressed the audience and commended AIF for opening an interfaith dialogue. He said this was the kind of dialogue beneficial to humanity. "We're breaking barriers," Holden said. "We're celebrating the commonality of God and what God means in all of our lives." Suat Namli, Dove Interfaith Dialogue Organization former president, said interfaith dinners are a common practice in Turkey. He said the dinner was funded privately by Turkish benefactors in Baton Rouge. John Pickering, a Buddhist of more than 30 years, said he feels like both eastern and western religions have a common theme. "Most religions are about learning to love one another," Pickering said. He said interfaith interaction helps people understand other religions and look past stereotypes. Moshe Cohen, math graduate student and interim program coordinator for Jewish Life, said now is an important time for Muslims and for Jewish people who are observing Rosh Hashanah. "Breaking bread together is symbolic," Moshe said of different religions coming together. "It's a beautiful thing to see that this is happening in Baton Rouge."
----- Contact Rebekah Allen at rallen@lsureveille.com
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