A group of Catholic leaders and members joined the Muslim faith in the holy month of Ramadan.
The group, led by Fr. Pedro “Pete” Lamata, DCD, head of the Archdiocesan Center for Ecumenical Dialogue (ACED), gathered yesterday at the Grand Mosque in Mini Forest of Barangay 23-C for the event dubbed as “Duyog Ramadan.”
“After 12 hours of fasting of our Muslim brothers, we will join them as they pray and partake their food after their fasting,” Lamata said.
The initiative of joining the Muslim community in their days of fasting is anchored on the unity brought by the Muslim-Christian dialogue in the city led by ACED.
“Among our activities for this Muslim-Christian dialogue is this Duyog Ramadan, which implies that we are with them in this period of fasting,” Lamata said.
At exactly 6 p.m., the sundown that signifies the break of the fasting, Lamata and the group from the Catholic community witnessed the supper of their Muslim brothers.
Parishioners from Our Lady of Fatima located in the said barangay, St. John the Baptist Parish in Lasang, San Miguel Parish in Sasa, St. Francis Xavier Parish in Tibungco, and the St. Francis of Assisi in La Verna Hills brought foods to share to the Muslim community.
Alim Mahmod Mala Adilao, regional chair of the Ulama League of the Philippines, said the Muslim-Christian dialogue has brought significant change in the unity among Christians and Muslims in their community.
“Here in our barangay, we are united with our Christian brothers especially through the Imam-Priest-Pastor Purok program where we do activities that unite leaders from the Muslim and Christian community,” Adilao said.
“Muslim and Christians are like real brothers here,” he added.
Lamata also mentioned of events where Catholic catechists and Muslim teachers also conduct activities, including seminar series where Muslim and Christian youths alike would participate.
Other than that, the peace among Muslims and Christians in the community is also validated during feast days.
“During fiestas here in the Our Lady of Fatima, our Muslim brothers and sisters are invited. Likewise, when there are also festivities in the Muslim communities, they also would invite the Christians,” Lamata said.
Lamata also said they will continue to show unity to the Muslim community until June 5, Wednesday, in observance of Eid’l Fitr or the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
