Vatican sends fraternal message to Muslims for the end of Ramadan

The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue called on Muslim faithful to “work together for justice, peace and respect for the rights and dignity of every person”

vatican insider staff Rome

(©Ansa) Muslim faithful pray during Ramadan

 

“Towards a genuine fraternity between Christians and Muslims” is the title of the message which  the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue addressed to Muslim faithful to mark the end of Ramadan, the Vatican Information Service reports.

The message was signed by the dicastery’s president, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran and its secretary, Fr. Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, MCCJ. Cardinal Tauran recalls that in 2013, at the start of his Petrine ministry, Francis sent a personally signed message to wish Muslims for Eid al-Fitr. He also refers to the Angelus prayer pronounced on 11 August 2013, in which the Pope referred to Muslims as “our brothers and sisters”

 

The message also quotes John Paul II’s message to some Muslim religious leaders in Nigeria, in 1982: “All of us, Christians and Muslims, live under the sun of the one merciful God. We both believe in one God who is the creator of man. We acclaim God's sovereignty and we defend man's dignity as God's servant. We adore God and profess total submission to him. Thus, in a true sense, we can call one another brothers and sisters in faith in the one God.”

 

 “We thank the Almighty,” the document continues, “for what we have in common, while remaining aware of our differences”, the message continues. “We perceive the importance of promoting a fruitful dialogue built upon mutual respect and friendship. Inspired by our shared values and strengthened by our sentiments of genuine fraternity, we are called to work together for justice, peace and respect for the rights and dignity of every person. We feel responsible in a particular way for those most in need: the poor, the sick, orphans, immigrants, victims of human trafficking, and those suffering from any kind of addiction.”

 

 “As we know,” the message goes on to say, “our contemporary world faces grave challenges which call for solidarity on the part of all people of good will. These include threats to the environment, the crisis of the global economy and high levels of unemployment particularly among young people. Such situations give rise to a sense of vulnerability and a lack of hope for the future. Let us also not forget the problems faced by so many families which have been separated, leaving behind loved ones and often small children. Let us work together, then, to build bridges of peace and promote reconciliation especially in areas where Muslims and Christians together suffer the horror of war.”

 

May our friendship, the message concludes, “inspire us always to cooperate in facing these many challenges with wisdom and prudence. In this way we will help to diminish tension and conflict, and advance the common good. We will also demonstrate that religions can be a source of harmony for the benefit of society as a whole.

 

“Let us pray that reconciliation, justice, peace and development will remain uppermost among our priorities, for the welfare and good of the whole human family. Together with Pope Francis, we are happy to send you our cordial best wishes for a joyful celebration and a life of prosperity in peace.”

Source vaticaninsider