Vatican: Let’s respect all faiths in spirit of Ramadan

PETALING JAYA: The Vatican has called for Christians and Muslims to “move from competition to collaboration” in the spirit of Ramadan.

The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue said a “spirit of competition” had often marked relations between the Christians and Muslims in the past.

“In some cases, these have led to violent confrontations, especially where religion has been instrumentalised, 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,” said the council in a jointly signed statement by its president Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran and secretary Bishop Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot yesterday.

The council said it was vital for Christians and Muslims to “recall the religious and moral values” shared while acknowledging their differences.

By recognising their shared values and by showing respect to their differences, a more firm foundation of peaceful relations could be established, said the council.

This could lead to effective cooperation for the common good, particularly to assist those most in need, added the council.

“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,” the council said, adding that the people should work together and honour each another.

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