TCN News
The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in Telengana state has sent Ramadan greetings to the Muslim community, titled ’Christians and Muslims: Protecting together the places of worship’.
President of the Council, Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso, has addressed Muslims globally in his goodwill message, explaining that it is a time “to reflect on the theme respect” other than protecting places of worship.
Speaking on both the Christian and Muslim communities special reverence for places of worship, Ayuso regrets that the pandemic has made them devoid of the “propitious time to further strengthen relationships by sharing an iftar or meeting” but he is glad to remind what Pope Francis had said in his visit to the Heydar Aliyey mosque in Azerbaijan in 2016 where he promoted unity and greeting one another as a powerful sign. He further discussed instances of Christian priests visiting mosques for interfaith sermons, highlighting that this friendship is “one that shows the harmony which religions can build together, based on personal relations and on the good will of those responsible.”
He further expressed solidarity with the Coronavirus-affected in the world at the moment, conveying his prayers for the afflicted and healing for all. With regard to recent attacks on places of worship, Ayuso has appreciated the efforts done by the international community at different levels for the protection of the places of worship worldwide, maintaining that “a mutual respect and cooperation boosted by interfaith dialogues would strengthen the bonds of sincere friendship.”
In a beautiful mark of humility and humanity, Ayuso reminded Muslims that interfaith understanding and bonding in future would “safeguard the places of worship for coming generations and grant the fundamental freedom to profess one’s own beliefs.”