Religion can be a divisive force, but one group of women are devoted to breaking down barriers and inspiring unity, all while sharing some Nan.
The women’s auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Rotterdam Junction hosted its second Interfaith Iftar Dinner on Friday, Aug. 3, at its mosque on River Road. Women of different faiths came together in a day of fasting to show solidarity and support during the month of Ramadan, which runs from July 19 to Aug. 18 this year.
Tahira Khan, of Glenville, said the members of the mosque hold the event to show similarities between different faiths. Fasts play a role in holy observances in several religions, such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
“We try to join together to highlight that we have so many more things in common than things that divide us,” Khan said. “It is just an enjoyable process for us all that we can reach across the aisle and meet our other sisters, dynamic women, who are inspiring to us, too.”
During Ramadan, Khan said if someone were unable to fast then they would donate money typically spent on food that day to a charity or group helping feed the poor and hungry.
“That’s their joining into the spirit of sacrifice,” she said.
Most of the women at the dinner had joined in fasting, but many said they unconsciously kept reaching for food.
Saratoga Springs resident Elizabeth Wickerham, a Roman Catholic, said she came to experience Muslim traditions firsthand.
“We talked before … not about our difference, but really about our likenesses,” Wickerham said.
Linda LeTendre, also of Saratoga Springs, said she considers the interfaith gathering of women a “sister congregation.”
Elizabeth Meehan, of Ballston Spa, echoed her and said she enjoys being active with the Ahmadiyya Muslim community because it is like a fellowship and the members gave her a warm welcome.
LeTendre, a Christian, said the group is more than willing to help with any projects to benefit the community.
“If there is good works going on around here you can bet these people are a part of it,” she said.
The local mosque has made several outreach efforts recently, including helping feed Rotterdam Junction residents working on homes after the recent flooding, giving out Baskets of Peace with cookies and pastries during Christmas and planting fruit and vegetables to give away to the community.
“Anything that we are able to do … that benefits humanity and crosses borders, that is something that our ladies are very interested in joining in and being a part of,” Khan said.
The interfaith dinner started with Khan talking about the similarities between fasting in different religions and then a child read a passage from the Quran. A few dozen people gathered for the event.
“When you actually fast you realize how blessed we are,” Khan said. “Most of us in this room are blessed that we haven’t felt real hunger or real thirst. … It is a lesson showing us that we have willpower, we can do things.”
Before partaking in the feast, with several Indian dishes warm and ready to fill hungry bellies, several people from different faiths joined together in a traditional Muslim prayer before breaking bread.
Khan said different religions have the same goals, but each takes their own pathway to get to it. She hopes other people will take a similar pathway to unifying other faiths.
“I’m hoping what we do today will have a ripple affect and go to a much wider audience in the Capital District,” Khan. “It is amazing how many women are of like mind.”
