This week begins the month long fast and celebration of Ramadan for our Muslim brothers and sisters around the world.  Their yearly practice is rooted in their long standing religious tradition and stands as a courageous witness for all people who are trying to live moral lives in union with God.  Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are the three major religions of the world who worship the same God (although not all three of our religions would agree with that statement).  All three of our religions start with Abraham, our father in faith.  

Let’s jump back to the book of Genesis when we meet Abram; specifically, I want to look at chapter 16 when we are introduced to Abrams first son, Ishmael.  Now, Ishmael is Abrams first son; however, he was born from Abrams slave, Hagar.  Sarai was unable to have children so she told Abram to have children with Hagar.  Their Son was born and was named Ishmael, which means “God has heard.”  Eventually, as we all know the story, Abram and Sarai become Abraham and Sarah and through the power of the Holy Spirit (even though they would have no idea who that is) Sarah is able to become pregnant and gives birth to Isaac.  

Now, as humans tend to do, Sarah and Hagar both become jealous because of how Abraham spends his time with either son.  Eventually, Hagar and Ishmael leave Abraham at the request of Sarah.  Abraham is consoled in this because the Lord tells him: “the son of the slave woman, I will make a great nation of him also, since he too is your offspring.” (Genesis 21:13)  Ishmael then becomes the father of Islam while Isaac becomes the father of Judaism.  This is how all three religious traditions are able to point back to the same father in faith: Abraham.  This is how, at least as Christians, we can say that we believe in the same God, even though we explain our belief in different ways.  

So, as our brothers and sisters, we can certainly learn much from them and their traditions including this great practice of Ramadan.  In many ways, it’s a lot like the season of Lent because it involves fasting, a more attentive focus on prayer, reconciliation with God and others, and for some it involves alms giving.  How does Ramadan work?  Observant Muslims will fast from eating and drinking every day from dawn to dusk for the whole month (including food, cigarettes, bad habits like gossip, and for some even sexual intercourse).  One dusk hits the celebrations commence with a variety of feasts that are meant to bring a community together either a large family gathering at a home or a large community gathering at a mosque.  

Observant Muslims already pray five times a day and during this holy month they make a more fervent effort to pray and read more of the Quran (their sacred text).  Its an important month that Muslims celebrate and use to grow closer to God and hopefully to follow his will and to pray for peace.  Just as Ishmael’s name means “God has heard,” we all know that God is listening to our prayers and we have hope that peace will one day reign in our world when the eschatological Kingdom of God is revealed to us.  As Christians, let us join with our brothers and sisters in praying for peace and to follow their witness of fasting, praying, and giving of themselves as a means to grow closer to God, which will in turn make us people of peace and love.  

May all my Muslim brothers and sisters have a happy and holy Ramadan.