By Shane Bennett
Know that feeling of futility that often accompanies tough problems and large-scale trouble? Really, what can you or I do about train crashes in Europe, young fathers dying of cancer, or the apparently growing divide of angst and animosity between Muslims and Christians?
Well, actually there is something you can do about that third one. Let me ask you this: If with little effort on your part you could contribute just a bit to growing peace between these two camps, how likely is it you’d do so? If you’re thinking “less than a 20 percent chance,” you can skip the rest of this brief article. It will waste your time. More than 20 percent, though, read on. What I have to suggest may help you write a few notes in the great symphony of peace God is bringing about as he extends his kingdom throughout the earth.
Here’s the deal: Ramadan 2013 ends today. Today, that is, if you’re reading this article on the day it dropped into your mailbox. Thank you, by the way, we appreciate it. The Muslim month of fasting is followed promptly by Eid al Fitr, an Islamic celebration about as significant for many Muslims as Christmas is for Christians.
Eid Greetings
So, just as you might get a “Merry Christmas” from the cashier at Hobby Lobby, it would be totally cool for you to wish your Muslim friends a happy Eid. An easy way to do this is by saying, “Eid Mubarak!” (EED Moo BAR ehk: eid sounds like “need” without the “n,” and for mubarak, just remember the former Egyptian president!) Eid Mubarak means, believe it or not, pretty much, “happy Eid.” If you’re short on Muslim friends, you have my permission to say this to Muslims who are complete strangers to you! Even if it turns out they’re not Muslim, they’re more likely to be confused than angry.
If you have some Muslim friends for whom you’d like to do a little more, here are three fairly easy ideas:
1. Gifts
I asked my friend Ali in Saudi Arabia, who used to be an international student in my town, “If you were still a student in the U.S., what would you recommend as a good gift for a Muslim friend after Ramadan?” Ali kindly responded, “The gift will be very simple: perfume and candy or wristwatch and candy.” So there you go, perfume, watch, chocolate. Bazinga! When we lived in Holland and England, I gave boxed chocolates for Eid gifts. Even sans watches and perfume, they seemed to be appreciated.
2. Cards or emails
I’ve put up a poster at checkthis.com that wishes a happy Eid and quotes Jesus talking about coming so that we (which presumably includes Muslims!) might have abundant life. I’d like to invite you to forward this to your Muslim friends today or tomorrow. (Really, even a few days late would be fine!)
You might also forward it to your non-Muslim friends to send to their Muslim friends.
3. Friendship
You may also want to give a gift of relationship. Say “Eid Mubarak,” then invite your friend to coffee or dinner. Ask questions about Ramadan, God, and what may actually bring peace to troubled lands and souls. Open the conversation.
Conclusion
Are any of these ideas the silver bullet for peace between Muslims and Christian? No, sadly there is no silver bullet. Will these ideas cause your Muslims friends to instantly surrender their lives to Jesus? No more than saying Merry Christmas to your atheist friends will do that for them. But in doing this you extend grace. You bless. You help your heart feel about people they way Jesus does. And you will, for real, chip away at the dividing wall of hostility that presently separates many of us from most Muslims. Give it a try.
ยป Let me know how it goes (or comment on this article, below).