Bangkok (Thailand). On 30 April 2021, the meeting of the Catholic Commission for Interreligious Ecumenism and four representatives of the Islamic religion for the beginning of Ramadan took place at the headquarters of the Bishops’ Conference of Thailand.
Sr. Pornphirun Chandenduang, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians of St. Mary Mazzarello Province (THA) and member of the Catholic Commission for Interreligious Ecumenism, representing Fr. Saner Damnoensaduak, Secretary of the Commission, presided over the concluding prayer and shared the joy of the meeting.
Also present were Mrs. Yuphadee Siriratkul and Mrs. Nawaporn Srisaranakulwong, President and Secretary of the Thai Catholic Women’s Association and Miss Warintornhaem, Secretary of the Catholic Committee for Interreligious Ecumenism.
The representatives of the Islamic religion shared the characteristics of Ramadan, the holy month for the Islamic religion, in which fasting is practiced to commemorate the revelation of the Koran to Muhammad “as a guide for men of right direction and salvation”. They explained that fasting is practiced for openness to others and for the change of mentality towards relationships that bring love and goodness to Thai society.
For the occasion, representatives of the Islamic religion shared naturally packaged dates, with which the fast is broken at sunset. The Catholic Commission for Interreligious Ecumenism offered rice, long-term food, and other goods to help support the needy of the mission.
“Dialogue between the followers of different religions does not take place simply for the sake of diplomacy, consideration or tolerance.. (…) “the goal of dialogue is to establish friendship, peace and harmony, and to share spiritual and moral values and experiences in a spirit of truth and love” (FT 271).
