Lent & Holy Week: Standing in solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters

Iam a Filipino-Muslim and I stand in solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters in observance of the Lent and who are giving up guilty pleasures during the Holy Week. In particular, for the countless of my Christian friends, relatives and loved ones who have supported, encouraged and fasted alongside with me and my family every Ramadan. Note: This year, Ramadan will begin in the evening of Tuesday, May 15, and ends in the evening of Thursday, June 14.

In a display of solidarity and interfaith appreciation, I pledge to fast alongside with the Christian community this Holy Week. In this regard, starting tomorrow, I will abstain from eating meat through Saturday and I will also fast the whole day of Friday.

My purpose is to thank the many Christians that have always shown love and respect towards Islam by showing them that my family and I in turn have the utmost respect for their beliefs.

Fasting is a basic religious duty in our twin faiths. For Christians and Muslims, Lent and Ramadan is a period of selfrestraint, marked by fasting, repentance, prayer and self-control. It is a period like this that offers us another opportunity to supplicate to God and seek His divine blessings. Fasting, either the Christian or the Muslim way, makes us feel the suffering of those who have less in life. Similar to Lent, Ramadan is a time of giving up certain activities to get closer to God. Sincere faith is crucial for both Ramadan and Lent. The intentions of the Muslim determines the validity of the Ramadan fast (Surah 2:184). Jesus teaches that true fasting is of the heart, not merely of outward action (Mt 6:16-18).

Since Muslims and Christians often find common ground in Jesus’ teachings, I believe that a holy period focused on Jesus provides opportunities to reinforce not only the commonalities between our faiths but also our shared and common values during the Lenten season.After all, Muslims love Jesus. Jesus is a prophet in the Islamic tradition, like Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W).

My goal is to show the true teachings of Islam i.e., it is a religion of peace, unity, and coexistence. Lent is an opportunity for dialogue and greater understanding between our faiths. To promote the ideals of peaceful and harmonious co-existence and religious tolerance in our country, as advocated by the tenets by both Islam and Christianity.

I pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) accept the religious duty that is being observed by our Christian brothers and sisters during the Lent period. To all my Christian friends and relatives, I wish you all heavenly blessings.