ATLANTA, Georgia: The warm atmosphere in downtown Atlanta had less to do with the southern sunshine than it did with the sea of friendly faces serving their local community. Muslim and Christian volunteers came together on Sept. 6 to show their love for God by helping Atlanta s homeless population, which is all too often overlooked and underserved.
This event – led by Islamic Relief USA – was part of their Day of Dignity initiative, a series of annual one-day events in cities across the United States, where people from different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds come together and assist those in need in the community. Serving the less fortunate is a central belief and practice for both Muslims and Christians, and thus provided a meaningful backdrop for people of both faiths to come together for a common good.
The 800 beneficiaries of the Day of Dignity were given food, clothing, medical care, hygiene packets, and provided with other social services donated by various individuals and organizations of different religious communities.
This Muslim-initiated community outreach event takes place annually, not only in Atlanta but also in 22 cities across the United States. Many of the nationwide outreach events occur during Ramadan, the month in which Muslims fast completely during the daylight hours as an act of spiritual devotion.
Though this event was a Muslim-led initiative, a handful of Christians also volunteered to be part of it. What drew these Christians to this event was the opportunity to serve Atlanta s poor alongside their Muslim friends. One even decided to fast along with the Muslim volunteers to join them in an expression of devotion to God and to better understand those he and fellow volunteers were serving.
The line of those waiting to receive the free food stretched around the corner of the block, while many others patiently waited their turn to receive health screenings. Overwhelmed by the outpouring of compassion, volunteer Shannon Moon said, It is so exciting to build relationships with Muslims, learn from them and see the way that they love and serve the community in Atlanta.
Christians at the event pointed to the Common Word document as inspiration for getting involved in the Day of Dignity. In October 2007, 138 Muslim scholars, under the leadership of King Abdullah II of Jordan, issued the open letter, A Common Word Between Us and You to Christians around the world. The letter stated: The basis for this peace and understanding already exists. It is part of the very foundational principles of both faiths: love of the One God, and love of the neighbor. These principles are found over and over again in the sacred texts of Islam and Christianity.
This was a key historic moment where Muslims extended the hand of friendship and reconciliation to Christians around the world, marking a new openness to dialogue between adherents of the two faiths. There have been too many religious leaders throughout history who have taken simplistic, combative approaches to asserting their particular faith, arguing why their faith is right and others are wrong. This approach breeds conflict, misunderstanding and even violence when what the world needs is for people to treat one another with respect and openness.
The event on that simmering Sunday in Atlanta may have fed and clothed some 800 homeless, but it accomplished much more than that: it captured – in a unique way – some of the small steps individuals are taking to establish trust between Muslims and Christians: working together to show their love of God and neighbor together, in unity.
Mark Casey is executive director of Common Path Alliance (www.commonpathalliance.org), an organization dedicated to initiating dialogues of trust and building relationships of peace between Muslims and Christians around the world. This article was written for the Common Ground News Service (CGNews).
