Eid Mubarak

Eid Mubarak!

Today, or yesterday for some, is Eid al-Fitr, the celebration and 'feast' at the end of the Ramadan the Muslim holy month of fasting. As people of faith we recognise and admire the devotion of those who fast and spend time in prayer, repentance and remembrance of God. These are all features of Christianity, though they are usually less intense.

We thank our Muslim sisters and brothers who have taken the time and opportunity to open their homes, mosques and hearts to people of other faiths and to break the fast with them. We also value the goodwill and charitable giving (zakat) which is another feature of Ramadan. As Christians and Muslims we are encouraged by the strength of the relationship between Islamic Relief and Christian Aid, who like the Christian Muslim Forum, bring their faith and concern together for the benefit of others of both faiths, other faiths and none. And also for Ramadan collections and Christian Aid week (in the spring).

We hope that Ramadan has been a time of blessing and drawing closer to God and gives a fresh start and energiser in the service of God over the coming months. Our Jewish friends are in a similar position with Rosh Hashanah yesterday and Yom Kippur ('day of atonement)' next week.

For the Christians we are moving from the season of Harvest and thankfulness to God for crops, even if we mostly encounter them in the supermarkets, towards Advent, a time of remembrance, preparation and celebration of God's revelation to the Jews and the birth of Jesus Christ.

This is a time to celebrate with each other as sisters and brothers,sharing the love of God and our neighbour, striving to do something practical, useful, creative and harmonious which increases understanding of each other and builds good relationships, for the good of the whole of society.

Peace!

Julian Bond
on behalf of the Christian Muslim Forum