Millions of Muslims around the world observe Ramadan, a
month of dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. Members of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fast by skipping two consecutive meals every
month. In both cases fasting is accompanied by prayer. Both fasts are intended
to bring the faithful closer to God and to remind them of those less fortunate.
Both fasts usually coincide with donations to the poor. Before Ramadan this
spring, Bishop Fakatou of the Solihull ward in West Midlands, UK became
aware the local Muslim community had no place large enough to accommodate their
members. After receiving permission from his stake president, the bishop offered
his chapel for nightly prayers, iftar (breaking the fast) feasts, and reading
from the Quran. A grateful Muslim community responded with a generous
contribution to LDS Charities. I love to see what happens when people remember their
differences are less important than what they have in common.
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