CHRISTIANS OBSERVE RAMADAN FOR LENT

California, 1 Ramadhan 1436/18 June 2015 (MINA) – Inspired by #Muslims4Lent movement among Muslims earlier this year, Christians from across the world have been participating in a new campaign, #Christian4Ramadan, to share the spirits of the holy month with Muslims worldwide.

“Earlier this year I found out about a movement among some Muslims called #Muslims4Lent; essentially out of solidarity and interfaith appreciation there were those who partook in Lent despite it not being part of their faith tradition,” Nathanael Vitkus wrote on his blog, On Islam quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

“When I found out about this I was deeply moved and resolved to partake in Ramadan when it came.”

The idea of sharing Ramadan fasting was inspired by Muslims who decided last February to take part in Christians’ lent by abstaining from personal “bad habits” such as watching television or eating too much sugar.

Using #Muslims4Lent, Muslim youth tweeted photos of themselves in which they declare what they will be giving up.

Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, started on Thursday, June 18.

In Ramadan, adult Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.

The sick and those traveling are exempt from fasting especially if it poses health risks.

Writing in his blog, Vitkus admitted that he has never fasted for more than a week.

“I admit, I haven’t fasted before for more than a week, and so I am not sure how my body will handle it given that I won’t be eating (with the exception of at night fall and before dawn.) for a month,” he wrote.

“As a result I am going to be diligent in participating to the fullest extent, but if health issues occur during my time of fasting I am going to postpone it and pick it up when I can provided I can (which is acceptable when it comes to fasting during the month of Ramadan).”

Jeff Cook is another Christian who was inspired to fast during this Ramadan.

“I saw pictures of young Muslim males with signs in hand, not highlighting our distinctions or past injuries, but outlining where they would sacrifice for Lent in order to journey with me during the season I held as most holy,” he wrote on Patheos.

“In seeing men my own age with signs that not only said they wished me well but proclaimed my value and the value of my faith, all my natural distrust fell to the side. I realized in fresh ways that I’m tired of voices telling me that in order to love my country I need to be suspicious of Arabs.”

Vitkus said he will dedicate more time for prayer.

“I am also partaking to allot more time to prayer and other practices within my own faith tradition,” he said.

Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to be closer to Allah through prayers, self-restraint and good deeds.

It is customary for Muslims to spend part of the days during Ramadan studying the Noble Qur’an.

Many men perform i`tikaf (spiritual retreat), spending the last 10 days of the month exclusively in the mosque. (T/P006/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)