麻豆约拍

Good morning. Ramadan is coming. Muslims all over the world will begin fasting this coming week. A couple of months ago Christians began the final week of Lent on Palm Sunday and remembered the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection at Easter. As a Muslim I do not believe that but understand that this belief is in essence the Christian faith. Last March I was in Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem among many places in the Holy land. I must have gazed over the same terrain that Jesus (peace be upon him) looked over. Easter, I鈥檓 told by my clergy friends, is the most important event for Christians. So, last April I chose Easter as a theme for the weekly assembly for pupils at our evening school or madrasah for Arabic and Muslim Life Studies. I began by asking them why they thought Easter was so important to Christians. I was getting some thoughtful and good answers from the teenage boys and girls. I do believe RE lessons in schools are contributing to their understanding of different faiths. As I continued to invite more contributions, a five year old put his hand up and said, in the sweetest voice, 鈥淓aster is important because we get Easter eggs and bunnies!鈥� A cute answer for a five year old - but I believe it's important for those of us who are religious teachers to ensure that our holy and spiritual occasions remain as such and maintain their original spirit and message. We must do everything to ensure we do not lose the essentials and that these pivotal seasons don鈥檛 just become festivals for merry making, exchanging gifts and - inevitably - some profiteering.
Dear God, enable us Muslims to keep Ramadan spiritual and moderate our merry making throughout the month, amin.