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November
6, 2006
VOL.
44, NO. 19Oakland,
CA
Oakland bishop
sends goodwill message
to Muslim community
In a gesture
of goodwill, Oakland Bishop Allen Vigneron sent a letter to the leaders
of 17 Islamic centers in the East Bay wishing them God’s blessings
as they celebrated ‘Id al-Fitr marking the end of the holy month
of Ramadan, Oct. 23. “I wish all of you a Happy Feast,” he
wrote. “May we discover new ways to work together with people of
good will to strengthen mutual respect and love.”
During Ramadan, which began Sept. 24, Muslims fast each day from all food
and liquid including water from sunrise to sunset. They also recite special
prayers and perform acts of charity. At the end of each day, the fast
is broken with prayer and a meal.
‘Id al-Fitr is the three-day feast at the conclusion of the month
of fasting. Literally, ‘Il ad-Fitr means “Festival of Breaking
the Fast.” It is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations
during the year.
In his letter to the Muslim community, Bishop Vigneron said he was praying
for them, asking God to grant them “wisdom and strength to promote
life” and that God’s peace would “reign in your hearts
and in all those who turn to Him who is Almighty and All Merciful in supplication.”
The bishop also expressed the “sincere desire that faithful Catholics
and Muslims will recommit themselves to a sincere dialog and to actions
promoting a culture of life.”
