Dear Editor,
One person recently said to me that this fasting should be embraced by the United Nations in order for humanity to return to its roots of community living and empathising with the less fortunate. It’s a shame that wars are still ravaging human souls and plucking young trees off the farm of family life. Ramadan 2007 is like a tribute for Gandhi’s peace movement.
Gandhi opposed the engagement of violence, and instead showed us that a non-violent approach or Satyagrah can achieve more that anything aggressive ever could. We are advised during fasting that if someone says something ignorant or wishes to pick a fight, we’re to simply say, ‘I’m fasting,’ as a reminder for both victim and perpetrator.
Faith is the decisive element behind the greatness of Gandhiji. The new movie on him and others resonate with the power of faith. Yes, it’s easy to say religion is an opium for the ignorant masses. And, while admittedly, wars have been waged by both religionists and atheists, at least faith has brought an end to them wherever such souls like Gandhi, Muhammad, Jesus, Martin Luther and others bowed to the power who created peace. These humble giants of Salam/Shalom refused the meal of violence during their lifelong Ramadan struggle against the tyrannical ego, and in doing so, sanctified their sacrifice of spiritualized fasting on the altar of human brotherhood.
The Quran reminds us about this fundamental foundation of human civilization in 6:54 “When those come to you who believe in Our signs, Say: ‘Peace be on you: Your Lord has inscribed for Himself (the rule of) mercy: verily, if any of you did evil in ignorance, and thereafter repented, and amend (his conduct), lo! He is Oft- forgiving, Most Merciful.'”
Light a candle and this global darkness will dispel; otherwise an eye for an eye will make us blind!
Yours faithfully,
Moulana Habeeb
