MESSAGE FOR THE MONTH OF RAMADAN AND ‘ID Al-FITR 1442 H. / 2021 A.D. Vatican

Christians and Muslims: Witnesses of Hope

Dear Muslim brothers and sisters,

We at the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue are glad to offer you our fraternal good wishes for a month rich in divine blessings and spiritual advancement. Fasting, along with prayer, almsgiving and other pious practices, brings us closer to God our Creator and to all those with whom we live and work, and helps us to continue walking together on the path of fraternity.

During these long months of suffering, anguish and sorrow, especially during the lockdown periods, we sensed our need for divine assistance, but also for expressions and gestures of fraternal solidarity: a telephone call, a message of support and comfort, a prayer, help in buying medicines or food, advice, and, to put it simply, the security of knowing that someone is always there for us in times of necessity.

The divine assistance that we need and seek, especially in circumstances like those of the current pandemic, is manifold: God’s mercy, pardon, providence and other spiritual and material gifts. Yet, what we need most in these times, is hope. At this time, then, we think it fitting to share with you some reflections on this virtue.

As we are aware, hope, while certainly including optimism, goes beyond it. While optimism is a human attitude, hope has its basis in something religious: God loves us, and therefore cares for us through his providence. He does this in his own mysterious ways, which are not always comprehensible to us. In these situations, we are like children who are certain of the loving care of their parents, but are not yet able to comprehend its full extent.

Hope arises from our belief that all our problems and trials have a meaning, a value and a purpose, however difficult or impossible it may be for us to understand the reason for them or to find a way out of them.

Hope also carries with it belief in the goodness present in the heart of every person. Many times, in situations of difficulty and despair, help, and the hope it brings, can come from those whom we least expect.

Human fraternity, in its numerous manifestations, thus becomes a source of hope for all, especially for those in any kind of need. Thanks be to God our Creator, and to our fellow men and women, for the quick response and generous solidarity shown by believers and also persons of good will with no religious affiliation in times of disaster, whether natural or man-made, like conflicts and wars. All these persons and their goodness remind us believers that the spirit of fraternity is universal, and that it transcends all boundaries: ethnic, religious, social and economic. In adopting this spirit, we imitate God, who looks benevolently upon the humanity he created, upon all other creatures and upon the entire universe. This is why the growing care and concern for the planet, our “common home”, is, according to Pope Francis, yet another sign of hope.

We are also aware that hope has its enemies: lack of faith in God’s love and care; loss of trust in our brothers and sisters; pessimism; despair and its opposite, unfounded

presumption; unfair generalizations based on one’s own negative experiences, and so forth. These harmful thoughts, attitudes and reactions must be effectively countered, so as to strengthen hope in God and trust in all our brothers and sisters.

In his recent Encyclical Letter Fratelli tutti, Pope Francis speaks frequently of hope. There he tells us: “I invite everyone to renewed hope, ‘for hope speaks to us of something deeply rooted in every human heart, independently of our circumstances and historical conditioning. Hope speaks to us of a thirst, an aspiration, a longing for a life of fulfilment, a desire to achieve great things, things that fill our heart and lift our spirit to lofty realities like truth, goodness and beauty, justice and love… and it can open us up to grand ideals that make life more beautiful and worthwhile’ (cf. Gaudium et spes, 1). Let us continue, then, to advance along the paths of hope” (No. 55).

We, Christians and Muslims, are called to be bearers of hope, for the present life and for the life to come, and to be witnesses, restorers and builders of this hope, especially for those experiencing difficulties and despair.

As a sign of our spiritual fraternity, we assure you of our prayer, and we send best wishes for a peaceful and fruitful Ramadan, and for a joyful ‘Id al-Fitr.

From the Vatican, 29 March 2021

Miguel Ángel Cardinal Ayuso Guixot, MCCJ

President

Msgr. Indunil Kodithuwakku Janakaratne Kankanamalage

Secretary

PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR  INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

MESSAGE FOR THE MONTH OF RAMADAN AND 'ID Al-FITR

1441 H. / 2020 A.D.

Christians and Muslims: Protecting together the places ofworship

Dear Muslim brothers and sisters,

The month of Ramadan is so central in your religion and therefore dear to you at personal, familial and social levels. lt is a time for spiritual healing and growth, of sharing with the poor, of strengthening bonds with relatives and friends.

For us, your Christian friends, it is a propitious time to further strengthen our relationships with you, by greeting you, meeting you on this occasion and, where possible, by sharing in an iftar with you. Ramadan and 'Jd al-Fitr thus are special occasions to foster fraternity between Christians and Muslims. It is in this spirit that the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue offers its prayerful best wishes and hearty congratulations to you all.

The thoughts we like to share with you this year following our cherished tradition are about the protection of the places of worship.

As we all know, the places of worship occupy an important place in Christianity and Islam, and in other religions as well. For both Christians and Muslims, churches and mosques are spaces reserved for prayer, personal and communitarian alike. They are constructed and furnished in a way that favours silence, reflection and meditation. They are spaces where one can go deep in himself/herself, so favouring for God-experience in silence. A place of worship of any religion therefore is "a house of prayer" (Isaiah, 56,7).

Places of worship are also spaces for spiritual hospitality, where believers of other religions also join for some special ceremonies like weddings, funerals, feasts of the community etc. While they participate in the events in silence and with due respect to the religious observances of the believers of that particular religion, they also savour the hospitality accorded to them. Such practice is a privileged witness to what unites believers, without diminishing or denying what distinguishesthem.

In this regard, it is worthwhile to recall what Pope Francis said when he made a visit to the Heydar Aliyev Mosque, in Baku (Azerbaijan) on Sunday, 2 October 2016: "Meeting one another in fraternal friendship in this place of prayer is a powerful sign, one that shows the harmony which religions can build together, based on personal relations and on the good will of those responsible".

In the context of recent attacks on churches, mosques and synagogues by wicked persons who seem to perceive the places of worship as a privileged target for their blind and senseless violence, it is worth noting what the Document on "Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together", signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, in Abu Dhabi, on  4 February 2019, said: "The protection of places of worship - synagogues, churches  and  mosques - is a duty guaranteed by religions, human values, laws andinternational

agreements. Every attempt to attack places of worship or threaten them by violent assaults, bombings or destruction, is a deviation from the teachings of religions as well as a clear violation of international law".

While appreciating the efforts done by the international community at different levels for the protection of the places of worship  worldwide,  it  is our hope that our mutual esteem, respect and cooperation will help strengthen the bonds of sincere friendship, and enable our communities to safeguard the places of worship to assure for coming generations the fundamental freedom to profess one's own beliefs.

With renewed esteem and fraternal greetings, in the name of the Pontifical CouncilforInterreligiousDialogue,weconveyfriendlywishesforafruitfulmonth of Ramadan and a joyous 'Idal-Fitr.

From the Vatican, 17 April 2020

Miguel Angel Cardinal Ayuso Guixot,MCCJ

President

Rev. Msgr. Indunil Kodithuwakku Janakaratne Kankanamalage

Secretary

Note from the President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Miguel Ángel Cardinal Ayuso Guixot, MCCJ
for month of Ramadan and the feast 'Id al-Fitr

         The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue sends, every year, a message to the Islamic community on the occasion of the month of Ramadan and 'Id al-Fitr, the feast that concludes it.

          This year's message, which was prepared before the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic, reflects on the theme of respect to and protection of places of worship.
            As the President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, I wish and pray that Christians and Muslims, united in a spirit of fraternity, demonstrate solidarity with the Coronavirus-affected humanity invoking the Almighty and Merciful God for the protection of every human being, most specially, for the healing of the afflicted and for the grace to all to overcome these difficult moments.

         Come ogni anno, il Pontificio Consiglio per il Dialogo Interreligioso invia alla comunità islamica un messaggio augurale in occasione del mese di Ramadan e di 'Id al-Fitr, la festa che lo conclude.

            Il messaggio di quest'anno, che è stato preparato prima del dilagare della pandemia del COVID 19, riflette sul tema del rispetto e della protezione dei luoghi di culto.
            Pertanto desidero, in quanto Presidente del Pontificio Consiglio per il Dialogo Interreligioso, aggiungere l’augurio che cristiani e musulmani, uniti in spirito di fraternità , dimostrino solidarietà con l'umanità così duramente colpita, e rivolgano le loro preghiere a Dio Onnipotente e Misericordioso, affinché estenda la Sua protezione su ogni essere umano, perché possano essere superati questi momenti tanto difficili.

            Comme chaque année, le Conseil pontifical pour le Dialogue interreligieux envoie un message à la communauté musulmane à l'occasion du mois de Ramadan et de 'Id al-Fitr, la fête qui le conclut.
            Le message de cette année, préparé avant la propagation de la pandémie de COVID 19, porte sur le thème du respect et de la protection des lieux de culte.

            En cette circonstance, en tant que Président du Conseil Pontifical pour le Dialogue Interreligieux, je forme des vœux pour que les chrétiens et les musulmans, unis dans un esprit de fraternité, poursuivent leur témoignage de solidarité avec l'humanité si gravement touchée et poursuivent leurs prières à Dieu Tout-Puissant et Miséricordieux afin qu’Il étende sa protection sur chaque être humain et afin que ces moments difficiles soient rapidement surmontés.

Dear Muslim Brothers and Sisters,

The month of Ramadan with its dedication to fasting, prayer and almsgiving, is also a month for strengthening the spiritual bonds we share in Muslim-Christian friendship. I am pleased, therefore, to take this opportunity to wish you a peaceful and fruitful celebration of Ramadan.

Our religions invite us to “remain rooted in the values of peace; to defend the values of mutual understanding, human fraternity and harmonious coexistence; to re-establish wisdom, justice and love” (cf. Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, Abu Dhabi, 4 February 2019).

We Muslims and Christians are called to open ourselves to others, knowing and recognizing them as brothers and sisters. In this way, we can tear down walls raised out of fear and ignorance and seek together to build bridges of friendship that are fundamental for the good of all humanity. We thus cultivate in our families and in our political, civil and religious institutions, a new way of life where violence is rejected, and the human person respected.

We are encouraged, therefore, to continue advancing the culture of dialogue as a means of cooperation and as a method of growing in knowledge of one another. In this context, I recall that Pope Francis, during his visit to Cairo, highlighted three fundamental guidelines for pursuing dialogue and knowledge among people of different religions: “the duty of identity, the courage of otherness and the sincerity of intentions” (Address to the participants in the International Conference for Peace, Al-Azhar Conference Center, Cairo, 28 April 2017).

In order to respect diversity, dialogue must seek to promote every person’s right to life, to physical integrity, and to fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of conscience, of thought, of expression and of religion. This includes the freedom to live according to one’s beliefs in both the private and public spheres. In this way, Christians and Muslims – as brothers and sisters – can work together for the common good.

It is my wish that the gesture and message of fraternity will find an echo in the hearts of all those holding positions of authority in the areas of social and civil life of the whole human family, and may lead all of us to put into practice not merely an attitude of tolerance but true and peaceful living together.

With heartfelt fraternal greetings, renewed esteem for our friendship, and in the name of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, I convey sincere best wishes for a fruitful month of Ramadan and a joyous ‘Id al-Fitr.

+ Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, M.C.C.J.
Secretary

MESSAGE FOR THE MONTH OF RAMADAN AND ‘ID Al-FITR
1439 H. / 2018 A.D.

Christians and Muslims:
 From Competition to Collaboration

Dear Muslim Brothers and Sisters,

In his Providence, God the Almighty has granted you the opportunity to observe anew the fasting of Ramadan and to celebrate ‘Id al-Fitr.

The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue appreciates the importance of this month and the great effort by the Muslims throughout the world to fast, pray and share the Almighty’s gifts with the poor. 

Mindful of the gifts prompted by Ramadan, we join you in thanking the Merciful God for his benevolence and generosity, and we extend to you our heartfelt best wishes. 

The thoughts we would like to share with you on this occasion, dear Muslim brothers and sisters, concern a vital aspect of relations between Christians and Muslims: the need to move from competition to collaboration. 

A spirit of competition has too often marked past relations between Christians and Muslims, the negative consequences of which are evident: jealousy, recriminations and tensions. In some cases, these have led to violent confrontations, especially where religion has been instrumentalized, above all due to self-interest and political motives.

Such interreligious competition wounds the image of religions and their followers, and it fosters the view that religions are not sources of peace, but of tension and violence. 

To prevent and overcome these negative consequences, it is important that we Christians and Muslims recall the religious and moral values that we share, while acknowledging our differences. By recognizing what we hold in common and by showing respect for our legitimate differences, we can more firmly establish a solid foundation for peaceful relations, moving from competition and confrontation to an effective cooperation for the common good. This particularly assist those most in need, and allows us to offer a credible witness to the Almighty’s love for the whole of humanity.

We all have the right and the duty to witness to the All-Powerful One we worship, and to share our beliefs with others, while respecting their religion and religious sentiments.

So that we may further peaceful and fraternal relations, let us work together and honor each another. In this way we will give glory to the Almighty and promote  harmony in society, which is becoming increasingly multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural.

We conclude by renewing our best wishes for a fruitful fast and a joyful ‘Id, and assure you of our solidarity in prayer.

From the Vatican, 20 April 2018

Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran

President

Bishop Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, M.C.C.I.

Secretary

Dear Muslim Brothers and Sisters,

We wish to assure you of our prayerful solidarity during this time of fasting in the month of Ramadan and the celebration of ‘Id al–Fitr that concludes it, and we extend to you our heartfelt best wishes for serenity, joy and abundant spiritual gifts.

This year’s Message is especially timely and significant: fifty years ago, in 1967, only three years after the establishment of this Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID) by Pope Paul VI on 19 May 1964, the first Message was sent for this occasion.

Please click on the link above to download the full message.

Chrétiens et musulmans :

ensemble pour s’opposer à la violence 

perpétrée au nom de la religion

 MESSAGE POUR LE MOIS DU RAMADAN

ET ‘Id al-Fitr 1436 H. / 2015 a.d.

Chers frères et sœurs musulmans,

 1. Les catholiques du monde entier se joignent à moi pour vous adresser nos meilleurs vœux pour une joyeuse célébration de ‘Id al-Fitr. Pendant le mois du Ramadan, vous observez de nombreuses pratiques religieuses et sociales, comme le jeûne, la prière, l’aumône, l’assistance aux pauvres et la visite aux membres de la famille et aux amis.

Que les fruits de ces bonnes actions enrichissent votre vie !

2. Pour certains d’entre vous comme pour d’autres appartenant à d’autres communautés religieuses, la joie de cette fête est obscurcie par le souvenir de leurs proches, qui ont perdu la vie ou leurs biens ou ont souffert physiquement, mentalement ou même spirituellement à cause de la violence. Beaucoup de communautés ethniques et religieuses à travers le monde ont expérimenté d’énormes souffrances et injustices: l’assassinat de quelques-uns de leurs membres, la destruction de leur patrimoine religieux et culturel, l’émigration forcée de leurs maisons et cités, molestation et viol de femmes, l’asservissement de quelques-uns de leurs membres, le trafic de personnes, le commerce d’organes et même la vente de cadavres !

3. Nous sommes tous conscients de la gravité de ces crimes en eux-mêmes. Toutefois, ce qui les rend encore plus odieux est la tentative de les justifier au nom d’une religion. Il s’agit d’une manifestation évidente de l’instrumentalisation de la religion pour obtenir pouvoir et richesse.

4. Il serait superflu de dire que ceux qui sont chargés de l’ordre et de la sécurité publiques ont aussi le devoir de protéger les personnes et leurs biens de la violence aveugle des terroristes.

D’autre part, il y a aussi la responsabilité de ceux qui ont la charge de l’éducation : familles, écoles, textes scolaires, chefs religieux, discours religieux, médias. La violence et le terrorisme sont d’abord conçus dans les esprits de ces personnes égarées, puis perpétrés sur le terrain.

5. Tous ceux qui sont engagés dans l’éducation de la jeunesse et dans les divers espaces éducatifs devraient enseigner le caractère sacré de la vie et la dignité qui en dérive pour chaque être humain, indépendamment de l’origine ethnique, de sa religion, de sa culture, de sa position sociale ou de ses choix politiques. Il n’y a pas une vie qui soit plus précieuse qu’une autre à cause de son appartenance à une race ou à une religion spécifiques. Il en résulte que personne ne peut tuer. Personne ne peut tuer au nom de Dieu ; ceci serait un double crime : contre Dieu et contre la personne elle-même.

6. L’éducation ne tolère aucune ambiguïté. L’avenir d’une personne, d’une communauté et de l’humanité tout entière ne peut pas être construite sur l’ambiguïté ou sur une vérité apparente. Chrétiens et musulmans, d’après leur tradition religieuse respective, reconnaissent Dieu comme Vérité et se rapportent à Lui comme étant la Vérité. Notre vie et notre conduite devraient refléter une telle conviction.
 7. D’après le saint Pape Jean-Paul II, les chrétiens et les musulmans ont « le privilège de la prière » (Discours aux chefs religieux musulmans, Kaduna, Nigeria, le 14 février 1982). Notre prière est urgente: pour la justice, pour la paix et la sécurité dans le monde ; pour ceux qui se sont égarés du vrai chemin de la vie et commettent la violence au nom de la religion, afin qu’ils puissent revenir à Dieu et changer de vie ; pour les pauvres et les malades.
 8. Nos fêtes religieuses, entre autres, nourrissent en nous l’espérance envers le présent et l’avenir. C’est avec espérance que nous regardons vers le futur de l’humanité, en particulier quand nous faisons de notre mieux pour que nos aspirations légitimes deviennent réalité.

9. Avec le Pape François, nous souhaitons à vous tous que les fruits du Ramadan et la joie de ‘Id al-Fitr apportent paix et prospérité, favorisant ainsi votre croissance humaine et spirituelle.

Bonne Fête à vous tous !

 Du Vatican, le 12 juin 2015

 Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran

Président                

 Père  Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, M.C.C.I.

Secrétaire

Christians and Muslims: 

Together to counter violence 

perpetrated in the name of religion

 MESSAGE FOR THE MONTH OF RAMADAN

AND ‘Id al-Fitr 1436 H. / 2015 a.d.

Dear Muslim brothers and sisters,

1.       I am pleased to send you, in the name of all the Catholics around the world and in my name as well, best wishes for a peaceful and joyful celebration of ‘Id al-Fitr. You exercise during the month of Ramadan many religious and social practices, like fasting, prayer, almsgiving, help to the poor, visits to family members and to friends.

I hope and pray that the fruits of these good deeds may enrich your life.

2.       For some of you and also for others from other religious communities, the joy of the feast is shadowed by the memory of the dear ones who lost their life or goods, or suffered physically, mentally and even spiritually because of violence. Ethnic and religious communities in a number of countries of the world went through various and enormous unjust sufferings: killing of some of their members, destruction of their   religious and cultural heritages, forced emigration from their homes and cities, molestation and raping of their women, enslavement of some of their members, trafficking of persons, commerce of organs, and even selling of cadavers!

3.       We are all aware of the gravity of these crimes in themselves. However, what makes them even more heinous is the tentative of justifying them in the name of religion. It is a clear manifestation of instrumentalising religion for gaining power and richness.

4.       Needless to say that those who have the responsibility of security and public order have also the duty to protect their people and their properties from the blind violence of the terrorists. 

Besides, there is also the responsibility of those who have the task of education: families, schools, curricula, religious leaders, religious discourse, media. Violence and terrorism are first conceived in the mind of the deviated persons, thereafter perpetrated on the ground.

5.       All those are involved in the education of the youth and in the various educational spaces should teach the sacred character of life and the derived dignity of every person, regardless of his or her ethnicity, religion, culture, social position and political choice. There is no life that is more precious than another one because it belongs to a specific race or religion. Therefore, no one can kill. No one can kill in the name of God; this would be a double crime: against God and the very person.

6.       There cannot be any ambiguity in education. The future of a person, community and of the whole humanity cannot be built on such ambiguity or apparent truth. Christians and Muslims, according to their respective religious tradition, look at God and relate with Him as being the Truth. Our life and behaviour as believers should reflect such conviction.

7.       According to Saint John Paul II, Christians and Muslims have “the privilege of prayer” (Address to Muslim Religious Leaders, Kaduna, Nigeria, 14 February 1982). Our prayer is much needed: for justice, for peace and security in the world; for those who have deviated from the true path of life and commit violence in the name of religion, so as to return to God and change life; for the poor and the sick. 

8.       Our feasts, among others, nourish in us hope for the present and the future. It is with hope that we look at the future of humanity, especially when we do our best to make our legitimate dreams become a reality. 

9.       With Pope Francis, we wish you that the fruits of Ramadan and the joy of ‘Id al-Fitr may bring about peace and prosperity, enhancing your human and spiritual growth.

Happy Feast to you all!

From the Vatican, 12 June 2015

Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran

President

Father Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, M.C.C.I.

Secretary