By James Oyewole.
The greatest attribute of God is love. The kernel of Islam and Christianity is also love. If God is love and the world’s two greatest religions also have love as their central focus, why is strife tearing the world apart?
Hate, greed fueled by primitive accumulation of wealth and war mongering have taken over our world. Humanity now wears double face: humanity is masked.
After six days of tediously working to create the world and all that there is, God, the Holy Books tell us, was happy that all that He had created were good and beautiful. Looking around, it is obvious that our today’s world isn’t what God created. Evil of all kinds has enveloped our today’s world and the centre is fast falling apart.
However, all hope is not lost. As Ramadan and Lent converge, people of different faiths can come together in the spirit of compassion and generousity. Adherence of both faiths must use the season to reconnect to God and activate love; the agape kind of love.
These holy months share a common thread – a call to self-reflection, empathy, and kindness. There is need for a new world order; a world that speaks only one language – love.
In Nigeria, Muslims and Christians can join hands to support the needy, transcending religious boundaries. Imagine food drives, charity events, and community outreach programmes where people from both faiths participate together.
Both religions must find common ground to operate and meet needs of people in dire needs. Money for skipped meals can be channelled to making others happy. This is the essence of the season. It is not a season to stockpile wealth or foodstuffs.
Fasting should give ample room for self-reflection. Fasting is an exercise unto God for the benefit of man. It is meant to reconnect man to his Creator – self reflection and every worthy self reflection should come with positive outcomes.
Ramadan and Lent are seasons that place emphasis on charity and giving. This is a significant aspect of both religious obligations.
Values of compassion and empathy are highest during this season. It is not a season to be selfish.
For both Ramadan and Lent coming at the same time, it is a call to unite and how can Muslims and Christians unite?
They can think of interfaith iftars and Lenten meals. They can also plan joint charity initiatives to reach out to the needy and spread messages of love and brotherliness.
This is the time to embark on joint community service/ projects to send out signals of love and comradeship. By embracing our shared humanity, we can spread love, understanding, and peace. Let’s reach out to the needy, and in doing so, strengthen our communities.
The convergence of Ramadan and Lent offers us – humanity, this unique vista. Let’s take advantage of it and make our world worth living.
– Oyewole is Executive Editor of The Graphic newspaper and member of the Governing Board of GIMP-Nigeria.
