According to Kathpress, the church leader said on Sunday following the midday prayer in St. Peter’s Square that he wanted to assure his “Muslim brothers and sisters” of his closeness at the beginning of the month of fasting. The Islamic fasting month of Ramadan begins Sunday evening. In addition, the Holy Father called for respect for the dignity of women during the Angelus prayer.
As the Islamic Religious Community in Austria (IGGÖ) announced, Ramadan stands for gratitude, renunciation, reflection, community and solidarity. That’s why the IGGÖ is giving Ramadan this year the motto “Being human connects”. “This motto is intended to remind us that we are all part of humanity, with similar needs and hopes, and to highlight our common experiences, values and emotions that all people share despite existing differences,” said IGGÖ President Ümit Vural in a video address .
- Video speech by IGGÖ President Ümit Vural:
For Muslims, fasting, which takes place in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar year, is one of the five pillars of their religion, alongside the pilgrimage to Mecca, daily prayer times, profession of faith in Allah as the only God and alms-giving. The end of Ramadan is followed by the three-day festival of breaking the fast, Arabic ‘Id al Fitr.
“Two days ago International Women’s Day was celebrated. I would like to address a thought to all women and express my solidarity with them, especially with those whose dignity is not respected,” Francis told the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “There is still a lot of work that each of us must do so that the equal dignity of women is concretely recognized. It is the social and political institutions that have the fundamental task of protecting and promoting the dignity of every human being by “Provide women, the bearers of life, with the necessary conditions to accept the gift of life and to ensure a worthy life for their children,” the Pope continued.
During the Angelus, the Holy Father called for prayer for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as in Ukraine and the Middle East. “May the hostilities, which cause immense suffering among the civilian population, cease as soon as possible,” said the Pope’s appeal. He also expressed concern regarding the violence in Haiti.
