Ramadan 2011

Tomorrow begins the Ramadan for our Muslim friends all over the world.

For those who don't know, Ramadan is the month of the year which Muslims fast from sun-up till sun-down. They do not let any food or drink enter into their lips during that time. In the evening, the fast is broken by an Iftaar dinner at the end of each day. Ramadan is so important that even people who are considered nominal Muslims are devout in fasting during this month. At the end of the month, there is Eid ul-Fitr, which celebrates the month of Ramadan. The fasting during Ramadan is so essetial to the Muslim faith that it is part of what is called the Five Pillars of Islam. It makes up the core of the practices of the religion.

Now, why do I mention mention Ramadan on a blog concerning the persecution of our brothers and sisters in Christ? I mention it because, as many of you have probably noticed, the majority of the persecution against Christians takes place in Muslim lands. When Ramadan comes around, our brothers and sisters in Christ and all other non-Muslims are forbidden from eating or drinking in public, in case they "offend" the Muslim who are fasting. On a much more dangerous note, violence against our brothers and sisters in Christ seems to increase during this month of Fasting. I ask of my brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for our brethren in Christ Islamic lands. Pray that:
- There's an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Muslims all over the world, but especially in countries where they make up the majority, during this month.
-Jesus Christ will keep his followers living in majority Muslim countries from extreme persecution and if he doesn't, that he keeps them through the persecution they may go through.

If you want to learn more about the Five pillars, look at this video from a brother in Christ known as Nabeel Qureshi: