The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue issued a message addressed to Muslims on the occasion of Ramadan, which began on 5 May, and for the Eid al-Fitr, which ends the Islamic holy month of fasting.

Titled ‘Christians and Mu-slims: Promoting Universal Fraternity Dear Muslim Brothers and Sisters,’ the message is signed by Secretary of the Dicastery, Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, MCCJ.

The culture of dialogue between Christians and Muslims, it says, must go on and “promote every person’s right to life, to physical integrity, and to fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of conscience, of thought, of expression and of religion.”

“The month of Ramadan with its dedication to fasting, prayer and almsgiving, is also a month for strengthening the spiritual bonds we share in Muslim-Chri-stian friendship. I am pleased, therefore, to take this opportunity to wish you a peaceful and fruitful celebration of Ramadan.”

“Our religions invite us to remain rooted in the values of peace; to defend the values of mutual understanding, human fraternity and harmonious co-existence; to re-establish wisdom, justice and love” (cf. Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, Abu Dhabi, 4 February 2019).