Vatican: Muslims and Christians must defend the family, says Cardinal
Vatican City, 19 Sept. (AKI) - The top Vatican official in charge of
inter-religious dialogue said on Friday that Muslims and Christians must work
together to defend the family in a Ramadan message from the Vatican.
"Christians and Muslims can and must work together to safeguard the dignity of
the family, today and in the future," said Cardinal Jean-Louis Touran, chief of
the Papal Council for Interfaith Dialogue and Cultures.
His remarks came in during the last weeks of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan,
which began in most Muslim countries on 1 September and is due to end on 1
October.
"Given the high esteem in which both Muslims and Christians hold the family, we
have already had many occasions, from the local to the international level, to
work together in this field.
The family, that place where love and life, respect for the other and
hospitality are encountered and transmitted, is truly the 'fundamental cell of
society'," said Touran.
"I need only remind you that the family is the first school in which one learns
respect for others, mindful of the identity and the difference of each one.
Inter-religious dialogue and the exercise of citizenship cannot but benefit
from this."
Observing Ramadan is one of 'pillars of Islam' or key Muslim duties, together
with prayer five times a day, profession of the faith, giving of alms and
pilgrimage to Mecca.
