DOHA – A Qatari hotel has sponsored a fast-a-thon charity event in which it invited non-Muslim expats to experience Ramadan and fast for one day, donating QR200 on behalf of each participant to help end hunger in Somalia.

“Ramadan is the month of goodness and giving, which is also what this event is all about,” Feroz Moideen, general manager, Hyatt Plaza, told Qatar Peninsula on Sunday, June 18.

“We have a double objective that we want to achieve from Fastathon; first, we wanted to endorse acceptance, tolerance and social solidarity, and second, we aimed to raise awareness about the alarming situation in Somalia.”

The event attracted 410 non-Muslims who participated in the event.

“This year, we have witnessed the highest participation for Fast-a-thon and are glad that we will be able to help easing the famine in Somalia and make affected lives better,” Moideen said.

For every person who registered and fasted, Hyatt Plaza and Qatar Charity will donate QR200 on his/her behalf to help ending hunger in Somalia.

“As new expats in Qatar, my family and I have been intrigued by the local culture for a while now, especially during the Ramadan,” Johnny B, one of the participants, said.

“Fast-a-thon represents a great opportunity for me and my family to experience fasting and link it to a great cause, like fighting famine in Somalia.”

The proceedings from the Fast-a-thon will be donated to urgent projects, which were earlier initiated by a project aiming at providing food and medical supplies to affected people.

“We thank all our customers and partners for supporting us in this noble cause, and we wish that the event will instill Ramadan’s true values and make our participants understand what those in need exactly feel,” Moideen stressed.

Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, started on Saturday, May 27.

In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.

Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to be closer to Allah through prayers, self-restraint and good deeds.