On the advent of the Holy month of Ramadan, the Catholic Center for Studies and Media (CCSM) sincerely conveys good wishes to the Jordanian people led by His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein and the Hashemite family, as well as all the Muslims to whom we harbor cordiality, appreciation and respect hoping that this holy month will be marked in the years to come while our dear Jordan remains an oasis of stability and a universal minaret for dialogue, coexistence and joint effort for the good of the people.
The holy month of Ramada coincides this year with the 50th anniversary of the document “Nostra ætate”, the declaration on the relation of the Church with other religions, which provided a special status for Muslims and Islam. On the golden jubilee of this document, it is time to contemplate the values of coexistence, of the firm bases of dialogue, and of sound citizenship. This document served as a roadmap for all dialogue initiatives launched over half a century during which our beloved Kingdom launched several initiatives and hosted several conferences.
This document, viewed as the most important and pioneer document in the 20th century for having paved the way for dialogue between Muslims and Christians, says: “The Church regards with esteem also the Muslims. They adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself; merciful and all-powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has spoken to men; they take pains to submit wholeheartedly to even His inscrutable decrees, just as Abraham, with whom the faith of Islam takes pleasure in linking itself, submitted to God. Though they do not acknowledge Jesus as God, they revere Him as a prophet. They also honor Mary, His virgin Mother; at times they even call on her with devotion. In addition, they await the Day of Judgment when God will render their deserts to all those who have been raised up from the dead. Finally, they value the moral life and worship God especially through prayer, almsgiving and fasting. Since in the course of centuries not a few quarrels and hostilities have arisen between Christians and Muslims, this sacred synod urges all to forget the past and to work sincerely for mutual understanding and to preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all mankind social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and freedom.”
The CCSM asserts its profound respect and appreciation to the leading role undertaken by His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein--which is designed to bring about a better understanding of the values of Islam as well as to attain cordial coexistence among the followers of religions-- for launching a series of important initiatives in favor of dialogue among religions among which are the “Amman Message” and “The World Interfaith Harmony Week”. The CCSM also highly values His Majesty the King’s noble endeavors to preserve the sublime religious plurality and maintain the Arab Christian identity which is represented in hosting the forcibly displaced brethren from Mosul, as well as his statements at the international podiums which call for attaining mutual respect among the followers of religions. In remarks he made at the Fifth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana, Kazakhstan, on June 11, the King said, "In our world today, the vast majority of people are members of a spiritual community. Muslims and Christians alone make up more than half of humanity. We live side-by-side as fellow citizens."
The CCSM also views with high esteem the iftar banquets which several Church institutions operating in social services will host, as such banquets will bring together the children of the Jordanian people, provide an important opportunity to cement ties of friendship and cordiality, and consolidate the roots of coexistence.
In conclusion, the CCSM extends its wishes that the days of this distinguished month will be days of prayer and repentance. May the Almighty God protect Jordan, its leadership, and people; and restore tranquility to the Arab region and other countries of the world that seek justice, freedom and peace. This very blessed month is the most optimun time to call for ceasing fire and ending the in-fighting among the brethren.
Happy Ramadan
Fr. Rif’at Bader
Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media
