Sharjah: Azaan resonates from St Michael's Church, 400 Muslims take part in Iftar


Daijiworld Media Network

Sharjah, Jun 17: In a significant gesture of promoting interfaith tolerance and harmony, a church at Sharjah hosted Iftar for approximately 400 workers on Wednesday. Besides, the volunteers from the Church also distributed Iftar meals to motorists and the needy near Sharjah Central Souq during the holy month of Ramadan.

This is for the second consecutive year that the St Michael's Church has taken the initiative to promote brotherhood and tolerance with their Muslim counterparts, the Church authorities said.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Priest Wissam Al Massa'deh said that it is the duty of the church to host such feast during Ramadan in a country that respects and appreciates the dignity of humans.

 

"We are so happy to welcome our Muslim brothers, in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere where two great faiths come together to share love, brotherhood and forgiveness...We are situated in the land of giving and goodness. So we are duty bound to contribute to the spirit of tolerance by hosting Iftar for our Muslim brothers. This initiative is in appreciation of the tolerance and brotherhood that prevails in UAE, a country that respects and appreciates the dignity of humans." Al Massa' deh said.

Following the Azaan (call for prayer) from the Church, all the Muslims offered Maghrib prayers.

Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Chairman of Government Relations of the Sharjah government - who participated at the Iftar said that the Church's gesture represents that UAE has succeeded in spreading the principles of tolerance, acceptance and forgiveness. "Especially in the midst of the ongoing crisis in Arab world, the sharing of meals by Muslims and Christians indicated that UAE is a role model of tolerance... the values that were practiced by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan."

The efforts by the Sarjah based church were also appreciated by others - Fahad Abdulllah Fahad, a Muslim worker who could not contain his excitement for being inside the Church for the first time. Another worker, Farman Barakat Ali, claimed amazement to listen to Azan been given from the Church.

  

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Comment on this article

  • WILLIAM DSOUZA, MANGALORE

    Sun, Jun 18 2017

    OUTSTANDING GESTURE.... REPEATED OCCASSIONS REVELS AND STAMPS THAT UAE IS THE CENTRAL OF ALL HUMANITARIANS....

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • shailu, kolkatta

    Sun, Jun 18 2017

    The church should respect local sentiments here also.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Peter, KSA

    Sun, Jun 18 2017

    Shailu, don't be disappointed. We will give Azaan in Indian Churches also. After all, God is one.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • shailu, kolkatta

    Sun, Jun 18 2017

    Hahaha First let there be sermons in church in KSA

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Peter, KSA

    Sun, Jun 18 2017

    Shailu, sermon in church/temple/mosque is useless unless people listen, understand and put it into practice. Wish every religion heads enlighten their youths to respect other religions and treat human life above animal life and stop lynching fellow human on trivial issues.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Report Abuse

  • dk shetty, mangalore/Oman

    Sun, Jun 18 2017

    Very good approach from church to demonstrate religious tolerance. A message to Mullahs/Padris/Swamis and to all the public at large to unite and love each others communities.

    Afterall parabrahman is called by various names- Allah/Father/Ishvar/Guru etc
    Only when people know this truth will they live in harmony and the forces that divide communities will disappear in the mist. People have to wake up.

    Hope next azan happens from a matt / temple with ifthar for fasting muslims.
    There is only One god and one humanity.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Peacelover, Canadian

    Sun, Jun 18 2017

    I hope to see Saudi opens it's door for other religious people to practice freely in saudi. It's high time for saudi to be tolerant at this century. God will not be happy for non tolerant towards his people .

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Hidden Identity, Bangalore

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    Christianity is a religion where in their religious heads tries to spread love and peace all over the world. This is one of the examples. Pope Frances is a great religious leader who has lead by example and we need to follow his footsteps. Very good job by St Michael church parishioners. Hope same will be followed in India so that we lead by example and spread love and harmony

    DisAgree [4] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jay, Mangalore/U.S.A

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    Well said Rohan, but asking for a Christmas party is asking way too much, it is far fetched to see even greetings coming your way because friends, colleagues and neighbours remain indifferent on this day. The state bans the selling of Christmas cards, Carols, Trees, and any Christmas decorations and even a mention of Christmas.

    I could have definite excused and gladly forgiven individuals for ignoring the day, but when MANY highly learned and renowned scholars, respected teachers, leaders of the faith forbade their followers from such a small social courtesy, it raises many questions. Primarily, how could a highly knowledgeable scholars who has spent several years of his life studying scripture and teaching and guiding their faithful specifically tell believers not to wish is very surprising. What was most shocking is when an Islamic preacher strictly forbid Muslims from greeting or even acknowledging Christmas day because he compared it to eating Pork or doing Zina (adultery). It did not stop there, here in the West were Muslims are in a small minority yet they are offended too by "Merry Christmas" hence to be politically correct the greetings is “Happy Holidays”

    Christmas is a normal working day. However, an official notice at the hospital where majority of the medical staff (doctors and nurses) were Christians that NO staff should wish each other for Christmas, even a Christian could not wish his fellow Christians for if reported strict disciplinary action would be taken for violating that rule. When asked the reason why a Christian cannot greet his fellow Christians we were told that the patients at the hospital who overhead the greetings were deeply offended.

    Hence, when a Christian male met a fellow Christian male we shook hands and "winked", this is how we wished each other for Christmas. When that was frowned upon too, we just winked and passed each other. Nevertheless, each year we warmly greeted every one "EID MUBARAK".

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • ayan, bangalore

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    BJP AND MODI , RSS , BAJRANG DAL , SANGHEES MUST SEE THIS VISUALS AND READ THIS NEWS AND LEARN FROM GULF COUNTRIES, HOW CAN RULE COUNTRY LIKE THIS NOT LIKE YOU ARE RULING IN INDIA SINCE 2014,

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Surendra Poojari, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    Such a good gesture. Hats off the church and people who are behind this. This is a tight slap for Indians who attack other religions. Recently there are lot of incidents of communal speeches by some who are good for nothing. One telling beef eaters to be hanged, India is hindu rashtr. These crooks should learn from this church the true meaning of any religion and communal harmony. These are treated as VIP's by our government and they bark in public and create hatred among people. Day is come where we need to be more worried about internal terrorism than external terrorism.

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Faraz Ahmed, Dubai

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    That's the reason why i love UAE so much their leaders are to good our politicians need to learn from them and a country where highest no of expats lives from different countries race, religion and culture and yet no riots or people having problem with each other UAE is the lead example of tolerance and peaceful County

    DisAgree [4] Agree [34] Reply Report Abuse

  • Peter, KSA

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    Masha Allah. No words to express the joy. I am sure there is joy in Heaven as well seeing the love and togetherness of His creation. He created only two religions - man and woman. One God, One life. Praise the Lord.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rohan Pinto, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    Church hosted Iftar, it's not a new subject I heard it number of times. Let us read Mosque hosts Christmas as well.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [65] Reply Report Abuse

  • Charan, Mangaluru

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    Good one...!

    DisAgree [5] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • mahesh, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    forget about it, It has not happenned before and will not happen now.
    You are secular only if you host ifthar.
    Rest of the festivals of other religions doesnt matter.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • JNK, UAE

    Sun, Jun 18 2017

    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Mosque in Al Mushrif area was renamed to 'Mariam Umm Eisa' mosque, which translates from Arabic as 'Mary Mother of Jesus'

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • MILAN, LUCERENE

    Sun, Jun 18 2017

    THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. WITHOUT WINE, WILL U CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS,, SORRY WE DON'T DRINK ALCOHOL. AND WE DON'T SERVE ALCOHOL.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajesh, Mulki

    Sun, Jun 18 2017

    Roshan ,Christian priests always tell Christians to pray for peace,pray for others so the children grow up in a loving and caring reaching... Unfortunately in many other religions there is no organised system. So some organizations fill this gap but their leaders teach fear of other religions and need to protect ones culture and religion in a violent way. Those kids grow up with different mentality towards others....we need religious leaders and organisations who nurture love not hatred...then we can hope for a beautiful world...

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • MILAN, LUCERNE

    Sun, Jun 18 2017

    RU FASTING ON CHRISTMAS

    DisAgree [2] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • P Tony Rego, Mangaluru

    Sun, Jun 18 2017

    easter

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Peter, KSA

    Sun, Jun 18 2017

    Rohan, as per my (little) knowledge in Islam celebrating birthdays are not allowed. In some Islamic countries, they do not celebrate even Prophet Mohammed's (PBUH) birthday. So, we can not expect Muslim brothers to go against their Islamic teachings and celebrate Christmas to please Christians. However, for us Christians giving Azaan is not forbidden in any religious books. Again, with my little knowledge, I may say that Azaan is nothing by calling people for prayer. We all agree that God/Allah is one and nothing wrong in calling people to worship Him whether it is from Church or from Mosque.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alwyn Crasta, Mangaluru/Bengaluru

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    After all, we are all children of the same Almighty God.

    Long live inter-religious brotherhood, peace and tolerance, which are the urgent need of our times. Long live World Peace. Hope this great initiative is emulated by many more, in various parts of the world.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shankar, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    My respects to the Rulers of Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and other emirates of UAE for being successful in creating such an atmosphere where Christians, Muslims and Hindus respect and love each other.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • Fr Joachim D'Souza, Mogarnad/Farangipet

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    Very good Initiative from the Parish Priest , the Assistant Priest and the parishioners. It is no nice to see Fr Maxim Pinto Capuchin bubbling with joy to serve the gatherings. May your efforts in bringing together the two great religion for a meal bring joy and happiness and spread smiles together in miles.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shankar, Mangalore

    Sun, Jun 18 2017

    Why don't you start the same in Farangipete?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • MILAN, LUCERNE

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    TIGHT SLAP TO ISIS

    DisAgree [6] Agree [50] Reply Report Abuse

  • MERVIN PINTO, DUBAI

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    Sharjah Church has done wonderful job by giving Iftar meal to our Muslim Brotherean. Well done to all the Priest and the committee members. God bless each and everyone. This is a wonderful country to live in, where we can at least show our little gesture to other community.

    DisAgree Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Stan, Udupi/Dubai

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    Indian politicians have lot to learn

    DisAgree [9] Agree [60] Reply Report Abuse

  • JOSEPHAT DSOUZA, MANGALORE/DUBAI

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    TOO GOOD TO HEAR . TOO GOOD TO EXPERIENCE . THE HEAVEN IS ON EARTH . IT IS HERE IN U A E ,THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES . COME AND EXPERIENCE .
    MAY THE ALMIGHTY BLESS THIS NATION AND ITS RULERS AND ITS CITIZENS .
    LONG LIVE SHEIKH RASHID LONG LIVE SHEIKH ZAYED .
    WE LOVE YOU WE RESPECT YOU .WE REMAIN GRATEFUL TO YOU .
    MAY GOD BLESS THIS NATION .

    DisAgree [1] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • basil d'souza, mangalore

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    Respecting each others faith is a biggest religion.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [55] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    Tolerance ...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [41] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ramesh S, MANGALORE

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    ..need of the hour..there is a urgency in ME to have this kind of interfaith program..narrow mindness /religious supremacy taken toll of thousands of innocents..only few countries stable..majority peace lover must send strong signals..silence will be misconstrued as acceptance..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • Peter, KSA

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    Wish this news reaches to Gaurakshaks and learn something from UAE.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • peacelover, India

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    In middle east(G6) people are living peacefully. People belong to different countries, different faith share room, share food. But in my own country, things are worsening day by day and no hope of improvement until the current communal minded government continues in center.

    DisAgree Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • S.M. Nawaz Kukkikatte, Dubai

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    Thank-you Priest Wissam Al Massa'deh, Church committee & UAE
    "Truly respects and appreciates the dignity of humans"

    DisAgree [1] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • Leslie, udupi

    Sat, Jun 17 2017

    Spirit of universal brotherhood and respect for mutual faiths goes a long way in maintaining humanity...
    Most people in this world want to live in peace and togetherness...
    I am very happy to witness this solidarity shown by the management of ST. Michael's Church, Sharjah....
    And also thank our Muslim brothers and sisters for reciprocating positively...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Sharjah: Azaan resonates from St Michael's Church, 400 Muslims take part in Iftar



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