Suggested reading by the Muslim Times: Corona Fear’s Cure: Chanting from the Bible and the Quran and All of humanity are intimate neighbors: Coronavirus proves it once again
By Emily Judd, for Al Arabiya English
Pope Francis has called on “believers of all faiths” to unite next Thursday in a day of fasting and prayer to ask “God to help humankind overcome the coronavirus pandemic.”
Top-level interreligious group, the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, organized the day of worldwide prayer scheduled for May 14, which falls during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset.
Egypt’s Grand Imam Ahmad al-Tayeb has also welcomed the initiative. He invited people around the world to pray and do charitable works “for the sake of Allah Almighty, in order to lift this pandemic off us and the entire world,” in a post on Facebook.
The day will be historic moment, according to Pope Francis’ aide Monsignor Yoannis Lahzi Gaid, a priest from Egypt and a member of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity.
“It will be the first time that all humanity has united for a single goal: to pray together, each according to their faith, giving proof that faith unites, not divides,” said Gaid in an interview with Al Arabiya English.
Dr. Zia H Shah, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times
Pope Francis has called on “believers of all faiths” to unite on Thursday (14.05.2020) in a day of fasting and prayer to ask “God to help humankind overcome the corona virus pandemic.”
Top-level inter religious group, the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, organised the day of worldwide prayer scheduled for May 14, which falls during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset.
A very good idea which supports uniting role of religion rather than dividing the mankind. It is expected that if all pray sincerely to Creator for His mercy and forgiveness, the deadly Virus can diminish quickly. However prayers should not limit itself to removal of Virus only rather should enable whole humankind to become good and noble human beings for each other.
I have an ex-catholic guest in my house who is fasting with us during the whole month of Ramadan. (But has no interest in joining what he calls “organized religion”. ‘enough is enough’ re his experience as a Catholic youth).