Christians and Muslims: Extinguish the Fire of War and Light the Candle of Peace
National
The CCCB press release on the Holy See's message on the occasion of Ramadan 2024.
To mark the month of Ramadan and its conclusion (Id al-Fitr), on 15 March 2024, the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue published a message titled Christian and Muslims: Extinguish the Fire of War and Light the Candle of Peace:
“We look to the Almighty as God of peace, the source of peace, who in a special way loves all those who devote their lives to the service of peace. Like so many things, peace is a divine gift but at the same time the fruit of human efforts, especially in preparing the conditions necessary for its establishment and preservation.”– excerpt from the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue Message.
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar: concluding with one of two great festivals, namely, Id al-Fitr (the “Holiday of Breaking the Fast”), the 29-30 days are characterized by fasting from sunrise to sunset. It is a season of strenuous spiritual struggle for pious Muslims.
Fasting during Ramadan is a duty, one of the five “pillars” of the Islamic faith, but is also seen as a privilege: to wit, an opportunity to grow closer to God by foregoing ordinary comforts, engaging more intensively in prayer, and spending quality time with family and friends during the often-lavish evening and pre-dawn meals. Muslims also believe that the Qur’an itself was revealed during Ramadan: hence the custom of reading the sacred text with even greater earnestness throughout the month.
Catholics in Canada may wish to greet their Muslim friends, neighbours and acquaintances, and remember them in prayer in a special way between March 10 and April 8.
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