Today is an important day for Muslims all over the world — it is Eid al-Fitr, a holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. While most Muslims will celebrate this special day by exchanging gifts and eating traditional foods with their loved ones, thousands of Muslim Somalis living in famine will not get the option to break their fast today, tomorrow, or the week after that.
Throughout the world, people of faith are observing Ramadan in a number of different ways. With daily reports on the famine crisis in the Horn of Africa, where some 9 million people in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya need immediate assistance, this season of prayer, fasting and reflection comes at a particularly critical time. It is time to inspire many to act, to not only seek this immediate humanitarian assistance, but to address the root causes of hunger and development, where more than 950 million people around the world will go to bed hungry tonight.
Ed note: This is Adeela Tajdar’s first blog post for ONE. She just started with our faith team and we’re glad to have her on board. Welcome, Adeela!
Today marks the start of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims around the world unite in a period of fasting. Recognized as a month where Muslims abstain from food and drink during daylight hours, this time provides Muslims with the opportunity to seek greater spiritual enlightenment and reflect upon the struggles of those less fortunate.
Last night I was joined by 100 faith leaders from across the country, to launch and begin to plan ONE Sabbath events in churches, mosques, synagogues and temples. Speaking on the call with me were 4 national faith leaders – Princess Kasune Zulu, a noted AIDS activist, Zambia native and Christian activist in Chicago; Rabbi Shawn Zevit, Director of Tikkum Olam for the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation; Imam Mohamed Hag Magid, Vice President of the Islamic Society of North America; Ishani Chowdhury, the Hindu American Foundation Director of Public Policy. They endorsed ONE Sabbath and discussed the role of faith inspired advocacy with ONE.
ONE Sabbath organizes congregations to raise awareness and advocate with ONE through their worship services, small groups, youths groups and women’s organizations.
If you missed the call last night and would like to listen in, check it out here.
And do be sure to learn more sign up to host your own ONE Sabbath event at www.one.org/onesabbath.
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