Ramadan For All: We Are In This Together

Ramadan is almost here. It begins on June 6. This holy month is a time for Muslims to fast during the daylight, focus on prayer, generosity, compassion, and family. It is a special time set aside from normal daily life. Meditation, prayer and reflection take a central role in the day, while the fasting focuses the mind (and the body) on a personal sacrifice for faith. It is a beautiful holiday.

You have certainly heard the hate-filled rhetoric that permeates our airwaves these days. It began on September 11, 2001 and has waxed and waned ever since. Now it has reached the presidential campaigns. We have a candidate who is inflaming hate and violence against Muslims and threatening to prevent all Muslims from entering the U.S. Of course, the U.S. is not alone in this. The response in Europe is just as shameful, with many countries struggling with the challenges of thousands of refugees leaving the war-torn Middle East.

As we reflect on history, “Never Again” has been said many times. It is a hope-filled statement that we humans will finally, finally learn the value of life, learn the gift of compassion, take responsibility and ensure that the horrors of the past remain in the past.

We’re at another “Never Again” moment. And what is our response to Islamophobia, the fear of Muslims? We know that fear is based in ignorance and that is certainly the case here. Islam as a religion and Muslims themselves are constantly slandered, targeted, and misunderstood largely because of a campaign of disinformation orchestrated for political gain. They are one of the most convenient scapegoats at the moment.

As a Christian, I often talk about the Good Samaritan in discussions about a faithful response to sexual and domestic violence. It is a way that those of us who are “bystanders” can have an impact on preventing violence and abuse, as well as offering healing for the abused. It is a helpful parable for discussing community responsibility, ethics and morality, and what we are called to be and do as believers.

For all of us who are not Muslim, we cannot simply be passive bystanders in this moment. We need to stand up and take on Islamophobia. This is our problem, and it’s our fight. The reality is that  Muslims are our friends, neighbors, colleagues and family members.

Just as I would urge a bystander to intervene if they saw someone harming a child, teen or adult, so as non-Muslims we  have to be the ones to address this head-on. It isn’t fair to ask a victim to take responsibility for an attack or abuse. It isn’t fair that we ask Muslims to be the only ones to address the hatred and fear that’s aimed at them (though they are, and in creative, heartwarming ways.)

There have been many denominations and congregations who have publicly denounced the proposed idea of barring Muslims from immigration to the US. These voices from our faith leaders are welcome and significant. There are things that we can do locally during this holy month of Ramadan.

I’d like to offer some suggestions: The Minnesota Council of Churches has launched the Blessed Ramadan campaign. This is a way that we can all publically display our support and respect for our Muslim neighbors.Print out a yard sign, put a sign in your shop or office window, put one in front of the church. You can download the graphic here, or order signs online.

• And how about addressing the rampant online hate that’s aimed at Muslims? Use the hashtag #BlessedRamadan in your social media messages to combat online hate.

• Check your local community for Mosques and Islamic Community Centers offering public Ramadan Iftar meals, a literal feast the ends the fasting of the day.
• Educate yourself and your family about the tenets of Islam. Too many of us are relying on unreliable resources for this information.
• Finally, if you see someone harassing a person they assume to be Muslim for whatever reason, step up and interrupt that exchange. At least let the person who is targeted know they are not alone. We all have lines in this play.

I offer my hope for a Blessed Ramadan to my Muslim brothers and sisters.

Rev. Dr. Marie Fortune
www.FaithTrustInstitute.org
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