Welcome to our blog where we delve into the message for Ramadan from the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. This year, the Islamic holy month coincides with Lent, creating a unique opportunity for Christians and Muslims to come together for peace.
Every year, the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue releases a message for Ramadan, and this year’s theme is “Christians and Muslims: What We Hope to Become Together.” Signed by the Dicastery’s new prefect, Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, the message emphasizes the importance of drawing closer to God and embodying fundamental values of religion, compassion, and solidarity during this time.
Cardinal Koovakad points out the significance of the alignment of Ramadan and Lent in the religious calendar, calling it a chance for Christians and Muslims to walk together in a journey of purification, prayer, and charity.
An Inner Transformation
The message highlights that Ramadan serves as a school of inner transformation for Catholics, mirroring the Christian tradition of Lent. Both periods of fasting and devotion remind believers that faith is a journey of inner conversion, not just outward practices.
A World in Need of Fraternity and Dialogue
Cardinal Koovakad emphasizes that in a world filled with injustice and conflict, spiritual practices alone are not enough. Christians and Muslims must work together to show that friendship and unity are possible, despite historical divides and ideologies.
During this Jubilee Year focused on hope, the message reaffirms that faith in God unites believers and serves as a force for unity and reconciliation in society.
Working Together for Peace
The message stresses the importance of common values such as justice, compassion, and respect for creation in inspiring actions and relationships between Christians and Muslims. It calls for building bridges instead of walls and encourages gestures of solidarity and efforts for peace.
As we celebrate Ramadan and approach ‘Id al-Fitr, let us come together in fraternal encounters, celebrating God’s goodness and fostering sincere friendship between Muslims and Christians. May this feast be a time of unity and peace for all.
