'stronger relations' between Christians and Muslims

Congratulatory message from the president of the Episcopal Commission for Christian unity and interreligious dialogue for the end of Ramadan. The common task of “promoting social fraternity and peace in the world.” In addition to the Eid celebrations, there are Bengali New Year events scheduled for April 14.

Dhaka () – “We express our warmest wishes to our Muslim brothers and sisters for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr”, so that it can “help build increasingly stronger relations between Christians and Muslims.” With these words Mons. Lawrence S. Howlader, archbishop of Chattogram (Bangladesh's second city in the southeast of the country), addressed the faithful of Islam on the occasion of the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan – the sacred month of fasting and prayer – which is celebrated tomorrow. The prelate, who is president of the Episcopal Commission for Christian Unity and Interreligious Dialogue (Ec-Cuird), wanted to highlight a particular passage: “Peaceful coexistence under the discipline of faith.”

In Bangladesh many beliefs, colors and cultures coexist and in general its inhabitants live in a climate of religious harmony, although there are no shortage of episodes of confessional violence. “Every religion has festivals according to the discipline of faith. Muslim brothers and sisters celebrate Eid – Bishop Howlader noted in his message – after observing the month-long fast. Christians want to express unity with Muslims at a time of celebration.

The message was published in the national Catholic newspaper in the local language, and goes on to remind that “in today's world, the effort to build fraternity and peace is very urgent.” The Pope himself, he recalled, has taken up the values ​​of “social fraternity and peace in the world in his encyclical 'Fratelli tutti'. To establish peace and fraternity – the archbishop recalled – Pope Francis has said that interreligious dialogue it is an obligation”.

Bishop Howlader then reiterated that all religions teach peaceful coexistence and all religions have a teaching inspired by peace and harmony, and that the holidays of each should be “celebrated in a peaceful state of mind.” I believe that Muslim brothers and sisters will obtain the blessings of the Creator through self-purification in the month of Ramadan. In this month they fast, pray and make donations, and in this way – the prelate explained – they obtain God's blessing.” “Let us pray then – concludes the archbishop – to establish peace and harmony instead of conflicts and envy. On behalf of the entire Christian community, I send you our sincere affection and greetings on this Eid.”

As president of the CE-Cuird, the prelate plays a delicate and essential role in a perspective of dialogue, harmony and encounter between religions. The commission has the task, among others, of promoting better understanding between members of different religions; study and understand the spiritual values ​​of other religions; share our values ​​with others; publish literature useful for mutual understanding taken from official documents.

On the other hand, they are days of celebrations and parties throughout the country because, along with Eid, April 14 is the day that the Bengali New Year is celebrated. And just as at Christmas the faithful of other religions join Christians, for the celebration that marks the end of Ramadan, Christians, Hindus and Buddhists join Muslims in the name of confessional harmony. As a famous saying in the country goes: “Religion is for private individuals, but holidays are for everyone.”