Peaceful message: Churches promote understanding of Ramadan 2025

Peaceful message: Churches promote understanding of Ramadan 2025

On March 1, 2025, Muslim fasting month Ramadan begins, which lasts until March 30th. On the occasion of this important month, five Catholic (ore) dioceses and three Evangelical State Churches in North Rhine-Westphalia have published a greeting to the Muslim communities and believers. The message was signed by Archbishop Dr. Udo Markus Bentz (Archdiocese of Paderborn) as well as from other high -ranking representatives of the churches, including Dietmar Arends (state superintendent of the Lippische Landeskirche) and Dr. Helmut this (bishop of Aachen) reports the Archbiovy Paderborn .

The greeting begins with a peace wish and emphasizes the common responsibility of Christians and Muslims for peace and mercy. Based on the respective religious traditions, the importance of protection of human life is emphasized. In addition, the message calls on acting actively for a better future and having trust in God's good intentions. Ramadan and the pre -Eastern Lent are highlighted as opportunities for reflection.

common basic values ​​as the basis of the dialogue

The initiative for the greeting has originated in a long tradition of interreligious communication. Since 2009, the Catholic (ore) bishops and Protestant presidents and state superintendents have sent joint messages to the Ramadan. This is intended to set a sign of the interreligious dialogue based on common values ​​and is firmly anchored in the teaching of Abraham informs the forum dialog .

peaceful coexistence is promoted by the interreligious dialogue, as a study by the University of Heidelberg 2020 shows. This examines the role of common values ​​such as mercy, justice and human dignity in the Abrahamic religions. These values ​​are not only the basis of faith, but also the foundations for social peace and understanding.

mercy and justice in the interreligious context

mercy is outlined in Judaism by the concept of "chesed", in Christianity by the teachings of Jesus and in Islam as "Rahma". These values ​​are not only theologically, but also practically relevant, especially in times of Lent, where self -reflecting practices and care are in the foreground.

justice, another central value, is defined in Judaism as a "tzedek", in Christianity by Jesus' teaching and in Islam as "ADL". The challenges that the interreligious dialogue entails are often due to prejudices and historical misunderstandings. Projects such as the "Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington" and the House of One in Berlin show how a better understanding can be promoted through education, education and joint projects.

Finally, it can be stated that the interreligious dialogue plays an important role in today's society. He not only promotes the understanding between different beliefs, but is also a decisive contribution to social cohesion in cities How the organization fidev summarizes .