A Shared Season of Fasting

Muslims around the world have begun their month of fasting, Ramazan. While fasting, millions of Muslims will abstain from all food, drink (including water), and other pleasures from sunrise until sunset to earn merit with Allah. They will offer extra prayers and Quranic reading this month in hopes of earning extra merits. Everyone is expected to participate in the fasting with exceptions allowed only for very small children, pregnant women and the elderly. Ramazan is not only a month of self-discipline, but also an opportunity to build stronger bonds within the community. Mosques often host Iftar dinners after evening prayers. These are open to Muslims and Non-Muslims alike.

This year, Ramadan coincides with Lent. Christians, especially Catholics, also fast for a 40-day period. While Lenten fasts tend to be less rigorous than Ramazan, they are also an opportunity to develop self-discipline. Historically, Christians have abstained from meat, sweets, and other indulgences. These days, people might also choose to fast from social media, TV shows and other modern indulgences.

This fasting season presents many opportunities to build bridges between Christians and Muslims in Pakistan. The relationship between the two has always been tense due to lack of trust on both sides. This makes it challenging for those leaving Islam to be welcomed into Christian communities due to fear and mistrust. However, this fasting season provides a rare opportunity to focus on similarities instead of differences. The communal nature of Iftar dinners offers an opening for friendship where there is often hostility.

Every year since 1993, concerned Christians have focused their prayers on the Islamic world during this month. Life TV runs several programs about fasting during this season. We hope and pray that these episodes would spark curiosity in the hearts of those who are becoming disillusioned by Islam. We receive encouraging testimonies about Muslims who have turned to Christ while in the throes of deep spiritual practices. We pray that God would revel himself to those who are hungry for the truth, and their thirst for eternal security is quenched by the love of Christ.  Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6). Would you pray with us that this fasting season may bring the satisfaction of God to all those who are earnestly seeking him?