Religious groups target poverty

from the Buffalo News

By Harold McNeil

Members of the three Abrahamic faiths and other religious traditions broke bread together and endeavored to collectively address local poverty during an event Wednesday in the Islamic Society and Mosque, 745 Heim Road, Getzville.

The third annual "Tent of Abraham" coincides with the Muslim observance of Ramadan, a monthlong period of daily fasting. The aim, according to Dr. Khalid J. Qazi, president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council of Western New York, is to invite those of other faith traditions to join local Muslims in collecting nonperishable food items and cash donations for distribution to the area's needy through the Food Pantry of Western New York and Viva La Casa.

"The Muslim Public Affairs Council of Western New York started this two years ago to bring all faiths together under one roof to share the blessings of Ramadan with everyone," Qazi said.

"But at the same time, we also felt there was a need in the community that should be addressed simultaneously," he added.

A charitable response to poverty is a part of all religious faiths, said the Rev. Stan Bratton, executive director of the Network of Religious Communities. Bratton's organization had planned a joint venture with Catholic Charities of Western New York to collect food and raise money for the needy when it decided to join forces with the Muslim Public Affairs Council.

"Instead of two separate events, we merged the two into one," Bratton said. "So, we're trying to retain still the Tent of Abraham, but then it's as a religious response to poverty."

In addition to the three Abrahamic faiths, the Network of Religious Communities is made up of individuals from five other religious communities, including those of the Sikh, Hindu, Bahai, Unitarian and Buddhist faiths.

Bratton said the network is circulating a petition asking Gov. David A. Paterson to create a commission that will identify and address the needs of those in poverty, particularly in Western New York.

Those attending the event heard from several guest speakers who spoke about the duty to assist the poor.