LIVERPOOL – Braving long summer hours without food and water, a group of British Muslims participated on Sunday, June 19, in the annual Mersey Tunnel 10k to raise funds for the homeless.

“Alhamdulillah!! volunteers completed the Mersey Tunnel 10k whilst fasting,” Muslim Event in UK page on Facebook reported.

“It was brilliant to see the support of other fellow runners and event organizers, who were taken aback by their efforts.”

In the 11th running of the event, More than 3,000 runners ran through the Wallasey Tunnel on their way from Liverpool to New Brighton.

Going underground and underwater, participants passed through the Wallasey tube of the road tunnel and eventually made their way to New Brighton.

For Muslims, the run itself was not their biggest challenge.

“Their challenge was NOT the run itself, rather they were trying to raise awareness and money for the disadvantaged and homeless in their city,” the FB page said.

“It is from the teachings of Islam to help our neighbors and those who are less fortunate in our own communities. Homelessness is a real problem, we all see it and we must ALL do our bit to defeat it.”

Britain is home to a Muslim community of nearly 2.8 million.In 2011, think tank Demo found that Muslims in the United Kingdom are more patriotic than the rest of population.

Responding to the statement “I am proud to be a British citizen”, 83% of Muslims said they are proud of being British.

Muslims in UK and most Muslim countries started fasting on Monday, June 6, on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

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.