For the Muslims the month of Ramadhan is always special, but this year “more special” for the Muslims and for all because of the historical pandemic of COVID 19. One of the spiritual obligation of Muslims during Ramadhan is always to share solidarity with those who suffer around them and in the world. Now the suffering of the COVID 19 is the experience of all in the world.
All of us are invited to reflect on this reality of the world today and understand more that we belong to one “human family,” all of us who belong to different religions, cultures and nationalities. These differences, unfortunately, have been the cause of many wars in history and also in recent times.
In the midst of so many sufferings, with joy, we listen today leaders of the world, starting from Pope Francis and other religions and political leaders who call for the end of all the ongoing wars and conflicts.
The world is realizing in this “pandemic” that humanity is one in suffering and we must be one in helping each other even if we belong to different religions and cultures. The different religions and cultures cannot be any more a reasons to fight, but we are challenged to find ways to live together convinced that we belong to the same “Human Fraternity”.
God has permitted these sufferings. For all of us must be a meaning and a message to listen. Many are reflecting and asking about this new Message of God to humanity. We, too are asking: Why this calamity today? We know that Muslims will follow the proper guidelines of Ramadhan from their religious leaders even in this difficult time. Meanwhile all of us share solidarity and appreciation for this great spiritual time of Ramadhan in the life of the Muslims, all of us are invited to do our best to be in solidarity with the spirit of Ramadhan sharing and helping in all possible ways with those most in need. Solidarity and goodness is also the spirit of all religions.
May this spirit of solidarity will continue even after Ramadhan and be for all of us a new occasion to live together as brothers and sisters. May the COVID 19 will be considered this year a strong call to put God at the center of our life following our religions and also accepting that we are different, but part of the same family of God who created all of us. Thus, there is an urgent need to love and help each other.
With this spirit we hope and pray that this “pandemic” will help us to have a better vision of life and to pray especially for those who have died in this calamity, their families, and also for those who are in the front line serving and helping. We salute them and pray for them.
-SILSILAH DIALOGUE MOVEMENT-