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Ramadan prayer in the Mosque of El Aksa and the Omar mosque, about 300,000 gathered, 1996. (Photo credit: Gideon Markowiz / Photographer: Israel Press and Photo Agency (I.P.P.A.) / Dan Hadani collection, National Library of Israel, Wikimedia Commons)
The Holy See’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue has offered a special message to Muslim communities throughout the world as they begin the month of daily fasting until after sunset:
The text draws attention to themes of harmonious living for people of varied backgrounds. A quotation from the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration on the Church’s Relation to Non-Christian Religions (Nostra aetate no. 1) highlights the eschatological goal of our communities of faith.
The text also addresses the danger of isolation in any community that may lead to animosity toward those who differ from “us.” May justice and harmony be fostered for the benefit of all!
The message invites a response, which implies the hope for a sharing of perspectives. May this become a practice among people of different faiths who live in proximity to each other!