Unveiled For 30 Days
It happened about a decade ago. A friend, who lived in St. Paul, was going out on his daily run. He was adding this physical discipline to his routine and enjoyed a run around his neighborhood. One day, his neighbor stopped him, asking him what he was doing. He responded by telling him about why he was running — to get more fit and enjoying it. His bearded neighbor’s response was unexpected: Can I run with you? It’s Ramadan and running might help me during my fast. So, the 2 neighbors-of-different-faiths began running side-by-side. This led to great conversations about kids (similar ages), life (similar challenges), and faith (not so similar). It also developed into a budding friendship between neighbors, between Christian and Muslim.
Whether you live in/near Pelican Rapids, Sauk Rapids, or Dell Rapids…chances are that you have Muslim neighbors. In fact, most of us see these “new Americans” daily in their workplaces, in public places, and sometimes when we drive past a mosque or community center. A few of our NCD churches minister directly, intentionally or occasionally, to their Muslim neighbors.
More than half of our NCD IWs live among Muslim neighbors, maybe more. Most of them are reaching out to these neighbors, building relationships & trust. We share a similar reality with our IWs— loving our neighbors with the love, and the message, of Jesus Christ!
This month is Ramadan (April 12-May12) a time of 30 days of fasting - in recognition of the Prophet receiving his revelations. There was a time when I attended a cultural awareness class focused on Ethiopians. It was great! It was interesting! There were 2 presenters: a woman who was an Orthodox Christian, and a man who was a devote Muslim. Since it was in the middle of Ramadan, he explained to us that he was following a strict fast and wouldn’t be eating or drinking anything from sunrise to sunset…but go ahead (attendees) and drink the water & snacks that we’ve provided for you. These 3 hours were well spent and beneficial from many perspectives! It raised my awareness of my new neighbors, my understanding of their feelings as immigrants, their rhythms of faith, and their openness to dialogue. It also endeared me to my Ethiopian friends, I understood their context & culture better.
How are we — Christ-followers and communities of faith — in the NCD region growing in awareness, engagement, and faithfulness…as we support our IWs working around the world? …by loving our neighbors from other cultures?
Audaciously, I suggest that we learn, acquaint ourselves with, and approximate Muslims during Ramadan this year!
Various resources are at our fingertips to learn about Islam. I’ve listed more than half-a-dozen resources in this month’s “Prayer Update.” The book, Tapestry of Faiths*, I found intriguing as the author describes an unraveling cord to illustrate the fraying of humanity’s understanding (and relationship) with God our creator. We can learn about Islam, and become better neighbors, better prayer warriors, and more fully engaged with the IWs — our friends and family — living at “the ends of the earth” whom we support.
We can talk to Muslims and former Muslims. My travels with Daniel, a former Muslim cleric, a former militant member of Hezbollah, and now a believer, have been eye-opening and deeply meaningful to me on a personal level. Conversations and introductions, I’ve had in mosques, by clerics and imams have stayed with me for years. Parleys I’ve had with followers of Islam in various cities and countries have also enriched my life and unveiled my eyes (and heart, and prejudices, and misunderstandings, and…). Drawing near to these people has changed me, and the Spirit of God has taught me. My friend’s daily outings to run with his neighbor, expanded his belief in God, too, and enabled him to “love his neighbor as himself.” If we don’t proximate ourselves to those unlike us, we remain unseeing, unaware, and stagnant. This is missional!
This month, during Ramadan, how will you learn more about Islam? This month, in what way will you acquaint yourself with the fastest-growing faith on earth? In the next 30 days, how will you be intentional to converse with and get to know your Muslim neighbors?
Dave Manske
Missions Mobilizer
North Central District of The C&MA