Muslims and Jews gather to celebrate a shared heritage

Before the red chicken, egg rolls, dates and apples were served, there were instructions.

(Photo gallery)

"You need to meet five new people today," said Muhammad Ayub, the outreach coordinator of the Islamic Center of Olympia. "So Jewish people, don't talk to other Jewish people. Muslims, don't talk to other Muslims."

The Jewish-Muslim Listening Group organized a gathering of 150 people at the Islamic Center of Olympia, off of Abernethy Road, to break Monday's daily Ramadan fast.

The event was one of the religious and cultural exchanges organized by members of the Islamic Center of Olympia and Temple Beth Hatfiloh.

The Jewish-Muslim Listening Group has evolved since starting after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks as a cultural exchange.

"We have started going to each other's weddings and bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs," Ayub said. "It's like family and friends now."

"Now we feel like we are a community of the two communities," said Susan Rosen, who is in the congregation of Temple Beth Hatfiloh and on the organizing committee of the listening group.

Later this month, Temple Beth Hatfiloh will invite people from the Islamic Center of Olympia for Sukkot, a weeklong harvest celebration. This year, Ramadan coincides with the Jewish holidays of Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashana and Sukkot.

"I'm struck by the similarities between our faiths," she said. "The dietary laws are exactly the same. A lot of the words in Arabic and Hebrew are similar. It's a surprise that we're fighting each other in different parts of the world."

The Muslim holiday of Ramadan, which started Sept. 13, lasts for one month. Part of the observance includes reflection and fasting. The fast is broken each night with group prayers. The last day of Ramadan this year is Oct. 13.

At the Islamic Center of Olympia, families volunteer one night to cook for the entire mosque.

Though Ramadan is a holiday of reflection, it's also a happy time with family.

"Thirty days worth of family reunions is what it is," said Haleema Yousof. "We don't normally see this much of each other, so it is a happy time."

Sarifah Ismael, 19, said she was excited to be breaking the fast with the guests from Temple Beth Hatfiloh.

"We love to meet new people," she said. "We're not narrow-minded people and we don't like to be put in a box."

"We've been to their synagogue. It's cool to learn about other cultures," she said.