Pastor: Ramadan presents opportunity

It’s not often nearly the whole world shares a common experience. When such a moment happens, as it is now, it presents a unique opportunity to focus on what humans share. To choose anew between a self-centric “me” or inclusive “us” mentality.

Focusing on the latter starts with understanding the lives of others. With recognizing that particular family, economy, and cultural background may be different but need not frighten us into forgetting the core similarities of human nature.

Ironically perhaps, one place such glimpses of mutual understanding occurs is in the Middle and Near East, where Christians, Jews and Muslims live side by side. International headlines of conflict aside (and remembering there is much variety in how Muslims and Christians interpret and practice their religion), some Christian communities there have for generations shared mutual respect and connections with Muslim neighbors.

Especially at Ramadan.

The Muslim holy month — a moving date on the Muslim lunar calendar, which for millions of Americans begins this week — is a season of reflective fasting, forgiveness and family celebration. During Ramadan, from morning’s first light until just after sunset, the observant refrain from food, drink, smoking, marital relations, arguing, bad language, gossip and human weaknesses (with ill or vulnerable constitutions exempted from fasting). Forgiveness is sought and given, so lives can start fresh.

Ramadan’s fast is one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam. The other four are a profession of faith, alms, prayer and haj — the pilgrimage to Mecca.

In a May 2019 article and interview posted on Christianitytoday.com, a Christian pastor and Yale scholar who’s lived among Muslims, Joseph Cumming, described such connections. He sees Ramadan as an opportunity to reduce fear and misunderstanding, and improve relations among all three Abrahamic religions.

“Maybe you just fast one day in Ramadan to enter into that experience with them,” Cumming, an American who has lived in North Africa and the Middle East, told Christianity Today. “What you find is when you do that and then you have a conversation with your Muslim friend and suddenly there’s this feeling of ‘We are in this together’ instead of this ‘I’m in one community and you’re in a different community and never the twain shall meet.’

Cumming says he does this not because he believes everything Muslims may believe, but because it’s a way to encourage mutual understanding and respect, which elicits peace and friendship.

“(I)t can lead to beautiful spiritual conversations,” he said.

Religious scholars tell us that when the prophet Muhammad was 40, he retreated to a mountain cave near Mecca to ponder difficult questions for weeks at a time and was visited by the Archangel Gabriel, who commanded him to read. It was there he received the first revelation of the holy book.

Yes, Gabriel and other figures in the Old and New Testament — including Jesus — are respected figures in the Quran.

Apropos of cross-religious friendship, Muhammad, unsure of what he’d just experienced, consulted a Christian relative who knew something about prophecy. (Muhammad lived among Christians in Mecca and considered them “people of the book,” including Jews and Zoroastrians, all considered part of a shared community of Abrahamic faith.) Anyway, after listening to the message — essentially to reject idols, worship God, repent of sin and prepare for final judgment — the Christian relative confirmed its legitimacy.

The fasting of Ramadan wasn’t a new idea. Before Islam, Arab tribal customs, Jewish tradition and Christians during Lent observed times of fasting, meant to bond the observant with the suffering of others, express devotion to God, and encourage spiritual reflection and commitment. The holy books of those religions also emphasize that the practice and the fasts of some branches of Christianity more resemble Ramadan’s practice.

Today Ramadan is also an especially happy time because the fast is broken with nighttime feasting, special foods and sometimes, large get-togethers with family and friends. Cummings describes happy memories of iftars (Ramadan meal after sunset) with friends. He also said in the Middle East and sometimes here, Christians will host iftars for Muslim neighbors and friends — a gesture especially appreciated in these scary times for law-abiding Muslims in Christian-majority communities.

Big holiday meals with loved ones are certainly something most if not all religions share.

“Those happy family times, enjoying those meals together as a family in the evening, and emphasizing love, and forgiveness, and community. It’s a very special time for Muslims,” said Cummings. “A jointly sponsored and hosted iftar meal … those can be beautiful opportunities to develop relationships.”

If social isolation lifts in time and you’re lucky enough to be invited to an iftar or to “Eid” (pronounced “aid” — the big celebration when Ramadan ends) by one of this area’s Muslims, go with an open heart, bring a dish, and expect to laugh and enjoy the generosity all humans share at heart.

To Muslim brothers and sisters, Ramadan kareem (a generous Ramadan). May your special month be replete with blessings and wisdom.

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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network and oil brat who once lived in the Middle East. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.