EVERY year, the Silsilah Dialogue Movement prepares a message of solidarity addressed to the Muslim Umma during the month of Ramadhan in the same manner as it addresses the Christian community during the celebration of Advent and Christmas. This message was prepared by both Muslim and Christian leaders of Silsilah for the Muslim Umma as they observe the month of Ramadhan starting on August 21, 2009 (Hijrah 1430).

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Ramadhan is a special month of blessings, full of grace. The Holy Qur'an revealed the importance of fasting, reaffirming the necessity to fast for the Muslim Umma. Ramadhan is an Arabic word composed of three root letters: RA expresses RAHMAT, meaning blessings of Allah; MIM expresses MAGHFIRAH, meaning the forgiveness of Allah; and DHAD expresses DAMA-N, meaning a covenant to enter paradise. Ramadhan is an expression of struggle, to sacrifice, and resist evil, not only to abstain from food and drink, but also to remain in the law of Almighty Allah. It has many dimensions: physical, psychological, social, and spiritual. It orients the believers to balance all these dimensions with their experience.

In terms of the social dimension, fasting calls for remembering the poor, those who do not have food or shelter. It is a way of experiencing hunger and developing sympathy for the less fortunate, to learn gratitude and appreciation for God's bounties. It calls for purifying one's actions towards others. It reminds the believers of their social responsibility, it calls for generosity, sharing, and forgiveness. It calls for compassion towards those who are in need and who are suffering. During this month, Muslims are especially called to resolve their conflicts, forgive each other, and ask forgiveness. This month is a good occasion to remind ourselves of the importance of fasting especially at this time when materialism and violence are dominating many parts of our world. We are challenged to affirm the centrality of God and to respect life and to work for peace.

Ramadhan is also the month of mercy. Muslims are called to show mercy, compassion, generosity, and care for all God's creatures: human beings, animals, and the environment as the vicegerents of God on earth.

Fasting is not only required from the followers of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) but to all humankind. Allah says in the Holy Qur'an: "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may learn self-restraint." (Surah 2:183)

We pray that every Muslim, Christian, and people of other living faiths and cultures appreciate the importance of fasting and practice LOVE GOD and LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR. We also pray that the Muslim Umma experience once again the spirit of Ramadhan so that with other peoples of sincere hearts work together towards a society of common good, building a Culture of Dialogue, a sustainable Path to Peace.

Silsilah Dialogue Movement