An Opportunity to Stop The Hate: Lent and Ramadan

By Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper We, the citizens of the United States of America and our fellow citizens of the world, are living in unprecedented conflict. While the word “hatred” is rarely used or mentioned, it is the source of the worst among us toward others. In this country, founded upon the melting pot idea that there is room for everyone, we find people continuing to be attacked based on their race, color, religion, nationality, and appearance. It is timely that two of the world’s greatest religions would intersect this month with a shared idea that for ages has been the solution to hate and its destruction. The Christian observance of Lent and the Muslim observance of Ramadan intersect with a shared religious practice known as “fasting.” The Christian observance calls for giving up certain foods or practices for a 40-day period as a symbolic way of sharing with Christ in his suffering. Lent is calculated based on the spring equinox. Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which follows a lunar cycle. As a result, the dates for Ramadan change every year, and the period of fasting is for...