Sylhet (AsiaNews) - "All of us, Christians and Muslims, respect the prophet Abraham. In this common admiration we have to find a way to love one another." This is the invitation launched by Msgr. Bejoy D'Cruze OMI, President of the Episcopal Commission for Christian unity and interreligious dialogue in Bangladesh, on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, the "Feast of Sacrifice" of Islam. This year the festival began yesterday and will end tomorrow.
The celebration (the second most important together with Eid al-Fitr) honors the prophet's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of submission to God's command. This is why, every year during Eid al-Adha Muslims practice korbani, the sacrifice of animals.
"One of the greatest teachings of
this festival - said Mgr. Bejoy - is love for
siblings, relatives, neighbors, the poor
and vulnerable. For this, the korbani provides for the division of the animal into
three parts: one for oneself, one for the family and the last
to the most needy. A lot of people think that, through the killing of the animal envy, lust, selfishness, and greed are also defeated".
The prelate, who is also the bishop of
the diocese of Sylhet, points to things that Christians and Muslims
have in common: "We both strongly believe in one God and respect Jesus and Mary. We believe in the prophets, in the Scriptures, sacrifice, forgiveness and the
well-being of the other. Our
two forms spirituality have a deep bond
and we should practice them to stop wars and conflicts, and to make sure that
peace can bring a smile to the
face of the weakest".