Nearly 100 visitors attended an interfaith dinner June 18 at Fayetteville’s Islamic Community Center.
“We were pleased and excited to welcome a capacity crowd into our mosque for an evening of dinner and dialogue,” said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, a Fayetteville resident and member of the ICCA’s Board of Trustees.
Fayetteville Mayor Edward Johnson, Sheriff Barry Babb, Commissioner David Barlow and other leaders joined a diverse group of visitors, including members of local Catholic, Protestant and Mormon churches, for the annual Ramadan Interfaith Dinner.
Upon arriving, visitors mingled with their Georgia Muslim neighbors, observed an educational presentation about the Islamic faith, and asked questions during a public Q&A before joining their hosts for a dinner of international cuisine.
“Interfaith dialogue gives people of different faiths a chance to recognize several common beliefs and many common values, all of which can form the basis of mutual respect and friendship going forward,” Mitchell said.
During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, 1.5 billion Muslims around the world fast from dawn to sunset while making an extra effort to do good deeds, particularly service to others.
“By fasting for 30 days during the month of Ramadan, Muslims hope to become more grateful for God’s blessings and more charitable to the poor, as well as spiritually and physically healthier,” Mitchell said.
In an effort to build bridges, Fayetteville’s Islamic Community Center also hosts interfaith open houses on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in attending can RSVP by emailing [email protected].
