Ramadan, the month-long holy season of Islam, is history and custom specific to Islam and inspires reasons for members of other faiths - and people of no faith - to get involved.
Muslims make up a significant portion of the global community, yet the Islamic holy days have not been accepted and welcomed into our cultural makeup in the same way that holidays like Christmas, Easter, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, all of which enjoy, to varying degrees, mainstream reverence and acceptance. One of the best (and easiest!) ways to understand the faith traditions of someone different than you is to observe - whether together or from afar - their holidays.The Parliament of the World’s Religions cultivates harmony among the world’s religious and spiritual communities. Celebrating with our Muslim neighbors and honoring their traditions is a concrete way to cultivate such harmony. Beyond that, the traditions practiced by Muslims during Ramadan hold applications and lessons for people of all faiths.
Here are some ways that you can show solidarity with your Muslim neighbors and commit to the Interfaith Ramadan Challenge:
1. FAST. Just once. Once a week. The entire month.
2. PRAY OR MEDITATE in your own tradition five times a day. Include a prayer for peace and mutual understanding.
3. BREAK THE FAST with your Muslim neighbours and attend an Interfaith IFTAR
4. SHARE your experience of embodied Solidarity at Ramadan on social media with family friends and networks.
Pledge involvement in Interfaith Ramadan Challenge
Have a surplus? Make a donation to support the PWR and its activities online.
*Ramadan 2016 will begin on Sunday, June 5 where there is visibility of the moon in Hawaii and the Polynesian islands. Most Western, Arabic, Asian and European countries will begin June 6 or 7, and a few regions on June 8.
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Parliament of the World's Religions
70 East Lake Street, Suite 205, Chicago, IL 60601
Tel: 312-629-2990
Website: https://parliamentofreligions.org