Sant’Egidio celebrates the ‘Id al-Fitr with the Muslim poor

Muslims all over the world have recently celebrated the ‘Id al-Fitr, the feast of breaking the fast, that marks the end of the sacred month of Ramadan, dedicated to fasting, prayer and helping the poor.

The Community of Sant’Egidio expressed its best wishes for this event to all of its Muslim friends and endeavored to ensure that those among the poor that would not have had the

opportunity to do so could celebrate the ‘Id, both in Muslim countries such as Indonesia (see the picture of the Iftar celebrated with the homeless who, though living in truly difficult conditions still rigorously observe the fasting) and in the West (see the picture of the family-like dinner that took place in the Ponte Galeria center for identification and expulsion).

An Egyptian young man held at Ponte Galeria was moved by the experience and said: “Thank you for thinking about us: we are brothers,

Christians and Muslims”.  

This is in fact the meaning of this sign of friendship that was also experienced in various forms in other parts of the world by local Sant’Egidio families, in the spirit of the message issued a few days ago, in the occasion of the ‘Id, by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue: “Let us work together to build bridges of peace and to promote reconciliation. May our friendship always inspire us to cooperate to confront the many challenges [that are before us] with wisdom and prudence. That way we will be able to help decrease tensions and conflicts, and advance the common good. We will also show that religions can be a source of harmony for the good of society as a whole. Let us pray that reconciliation, justice, peace and development remain our key priorities for the wellbeing and the good of the entire human family.”