The Holy Father Pope Francis, in his recent World Communications Day message, calls Catholics around the world to communicate hope and trust rather than generate apathy and fear. This is in addition to His Holiness' call for Catholics to be inclusive and engage in Interreligious Dialogue with peoples of other faiths.
Under the suggestion and encouragement of PP, Fr Lawrence Andrew, SFX PMEIA took the impetus to initiate a Berbuka Puasa fellowship with our Muslim Brethren. As this is a first for the ministry and parish, we decided to proceed beginning with our Muslim friends we are already working in collaboration with during church functions. These are namely the officers of the PJ Police Department from whom we have been seeking advice on various occasions, the RELA personnel who have been assisting us in directing and dispersing traffic, our neighbours, the Sec 10 Residents Association and University Students who are friends of our Youths.
The Buka Puasa was held at Shah's Village Hotel Restaurant on Sunday 11th June. Gracing the occasion was the Imam Abdul Hadi bin Mahamad Napi, of Masjid Kolej Islam Malaya who was gracious to accept the invitation in spite of the short notice and his tight schedule; DSP Tuan Zakaria who led the police officers, while Ronald Danker, the RA President of SIORA came with three of his core group. Fr Lawrence led the group of seven of us from SFXPMEIA to share the solidarity meal accompanied by Assistant PP, Fr Alvin Ho and Deacon Leslie from Sabah. A total number of 32 attended.
It was indeed a learning experience for most of us as we witnessed and were guided by our Muslim Brethren on how they prepare themselves for the breaking of fast, followed by prayers led by the Imam before they start the main meal.
In between the usual exchanging of pleasantries during mealtime we were made aware of how they have to tread carefully in their personal capacities as public servants to ensure that their actions in accepting to Berbuka Puasa with us is an act of fellowship and an effort to promote unity above duty. To them fasting is more than just skipping meals. It is about being virtuous in reflection, actions and intentions. Fasting disciplines every aspect of life. It is a spiritual challenge.
A person's intention when fasting is to bring oneself closer to God. Breaking of fast together with immediate families, close friends and neighbours during Ramadan is the most basic, looked-forward-to meal that is in essence joyful. We felt honoured to be an accepted participant. After the meal Fr Lawrence presented each of the invited leaders a copy of the Vatican's Ramadan-Aidilfitri Message, the 50th in the history of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, as a token of our solidarity. The text expresses a prayerful solidarity with greetings of serenity, joy and blessings of abundant spiritual joy in addition to the call for Muslims and Christians to care for God's creations, our common home.
Ramadan is the month of fasting and daily prayers for Muslims, broken only at night for a festive dinner, Iftar, and ends with the feast of Aidilfitri. This year the month began on May 27 and ends on June 24.
