Cardinal Ayuso: Ramadan an opportunity to show interreligious
solidarity
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| Muslim men wearing masks in prayer in Delhi, India |
As Muslims around the world celebrate the month of Ramadan,
the President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue urges
Christians and Muslims to show solidarity in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
By Vatican News
Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, President of the
Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, has given an interview to
Vatican News’ Hélène Destombes.
He spoke about the Council’s annual message for the Islamic month of Ramadan and
the feast of Eid al-Fitr.
Here is a transcript of the interview:
Q: As we approach the feast of the End of Ramadan,
what can we say about this celebration in the current context?
As always, I see it as essential, important and significant
for our Muslim friends. In a way, just as the celebration of Easter was for us,
this year the feast takes on a special significance for them because of the
Covid-19 pandemic. I think Ramadan has taken on a more interior dimension this
year, since the communal aspect cannot be celebrated. That is why, as President
of the PCID, I would like to add my wish that Christians and Muslims – united
in a spirit of fraternity – will show solidarity with humanity which has been
severely affected, and address their prayers to Almighty and Merciful God, that
He may extend His protection to every human being so that these difficult times
may be overcome.
Q: What is the content of this year’s Message?
Each year the Dicastery offers the Islamic community a theme
common to both religions.
In particular this year we have emphasized the theme of
protecting places of worship. It was inspired by the Document on Human
Fraternity, where Pope Francis, together with the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, said
that “the protection of places of worship – synagogues, churches and mosques –
is a duty guaranteed by religions, human values, laws and international
agreements. Every attempt to attack places of worship or threaten them by
violent assaults, bombings or destruction, is a deviation from the teachings of
religions as well as a clear violation of international law.” These acts are
condemned by believers and non-believers alike. The need for freedom of
religion is a right and a duty.
Q: What contribution can dialogue between people of
different religions make in this situation, and with a view to the future?
I feel the need to refer to what Pope Francis has called us
to in this difficult reality, that is, to spread the “contagion of hope” in
order to face the current challenges and those of the immediate future. Religious
leaders of different faiths will be called to promote unity, solidarity and
fraternity, so that we can all emerge from this better than we were before and
help our societies to be ready to change all that is necessary, not by
following only the laws of economics and profit.
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