Interfaith Encounter Association – ADAMA Dialogue Group
ADAMA (Abu Dis and Maaleh Adumim) met in Abu Dis on August 27th.
This was the second meeting held in Abu Dis, and it felt more of a celebration than a meeting. Abed invited us to his home for an Iftar meal, to break the Ramadan fast. As we drove into Abu Dis, the streets were empty of people and there were hardly any cars driving on the roads, as everyone was already in their homes waiting for the fast to end. We sat in the garden chatting with Abed’s father, who plucked fresh figs for us from his beautiful garden. Then it was time for the Iftar to begin. It was lovely sharing a delicious meal with the family, who made us feel very welcome in their home.
Afterwards, we discussed the holy month of Ramadan for Moslems, as well as the current month of Elul for Jews.
Ramadan is the 9th month in the Islamic calendar. The origin of Ramadan is that God sent the Koran to the angel Gabriel who then revealed it to the Prophet Mohammed.
During this month, there is no eating or drinking from dawn to sunset (no smoking either), and families eat a pre-dawn meal together, as well as breaking the fast with an Iftar, consisting of many different festive dishes. Fasting teaches a person patience and humility and cleanses the soul. Fasting is not for the person’s benefit, but is done for God. Extra prayers are said during Ramadan. Prayers consist of asking for forgiveness and guidance. Moslems purify themselves through doing good deeds. The entire Koran is read during the month. Charity is given to the poor. Towards the end of the month is Leilat Al Khader – “Night of Destiny”; if you wish for something that night, God will grant it. The holiday of Eid El Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, which lasts for three days.
Similarly, the Jewish month of Elul is a time of repentance in preparation for the high holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. The word Elul means “search” because this is a time when we search our hearts. Elul is a time to ask forgiveness for wrongs done to other people. According to Jewish tradition, God cannot forgive us for sins against another person unless we ask forgiveness from them first (the same goes for Moslems during Ramadan). Also, a shofar (ram’s horn) is blown after morning services, which is a wake up call to repentance. There is a Chassidic tradition that during Elul, the King is in the field, meaning that God is more accessible to us during this time than others, and we can go to Him with our prayers and requests.
We planned our next meeting in Maaleh Adumim for September 23rd.
(Report by Leah Lublin – Jewish coordinator)
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Dr. Shlomo Alon
Ms. Nadia Tutunji-Nuseibeh
Ms. Saheer Siam
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