Eid Mubarak

Today is the end of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Muslim calendar and the month in which Muhammad first began receiving the revelation of the Qur’an.  Muslims (at least the Sunnis) have finished one month of fasting and will eat to their heart’s content with family and friends for three days during a holiday called Eid al-Fitr.  Piety, forgiveness, and unity are celebrated in worship of Allah.

Very few non-Muslims in the US are even aware of when Ramadan occurs and few understand the significance.  Wikipedia (here) can help explain that.  As a Christian, I sometimes question to what extent I should participate in Muslim holidays and whether I should wish Muslims a happy Eid.  Many Christians think that participating may imply full support of the theology of Islam.  It seems, however, that I can participate and celebrate with Muslims, and Muslims still understand that I am, in fact, a Christian, not a Muslim.  At the same time, Muslims will wish me a Merry Christmas, though we both understand that they don’t assent to the divinity of Christ.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, writes:   Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.  (12:14-16)

It doesn’t seem that Paul is talking only about Christians here.  There may have been intra-faith conflict in the first century, but he seems to be referring to non-Christians as “those who persecute you.”  In this context, if we are to bless those who persecute us, how much more should we rejoice with our Muslim neighbor who is not persecuting us.  It seems that rejoicing and mourning with our neighbors, Christian or non-Christian, in a humble manner (v16) will result in living in harmony.

So, I called my friends in Jordan this morning and hope to call my friends here later to wish them a Eid Mubarak.  Also, happy Eid to my Muslim readers.