Vatican Ramadan message: Muslims and Christians called to walk side-by-side

Muslims offer prayers in Jerusalem, 2025. Photo: AFP

The Vatican has sent its traditional message to Muslims worldwide during the holy month of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery, noted that the coincidence of Ramadan and the Christian Lent offers a "unique opportunity to walk side-by-side, Christians and Muslims, in a common process of purification, prayer and charity," reports Vatican News.

The message emphasizes that Christians and Muslims are "pilgrims on this earth," united by the aspiration for a dignified life. Cardinal Koovakad poses the question: "Do we want to be simple co-workers for a better world, or genuine brothers and sisters, bearing common witness to God’s friendship with all humanity?"

In his view, despite their differences, both spiritual practices serve as reminders that true faith is "not merely outward expressions, but a path of inner conversion." The message further states that friendship between religions is possible "despite the weight of history and the ideologies that promote exclusion."

The prefect of the dicastery asserts that Christians and Muslims are called to build a culture of dialogue. Concluding his message, the cardinal wishes: "May this feast be an occasion for fraternal encounters between Muslims and Christians, in which we can celebrate together God’s goodness. Such simple but profound moments of sharing are seeds of hope that can transform our communities and our world. May our friendship be a refreshing breeze for a world that thirsts for peace and fraternity!"

As the UOJ previously reported, 'Allahu Akbar': In France, an Islamist stabbed and wounded several people.

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