Vatican official offers prayers for Muslims at end of Ramadan fast

Published: 2003-11-17

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A top Vatican official offered his prayers for peace as Muslims prepared to celebrate the end of their monthlong Ramadan fast. Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, offered a special prayer for Muslims "who have suffered, or who are still suffering, on account of armed conflict." The archbishop's message to the world's Muslims for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the feast marking the end of the Ramadan period of fasting from dawn to dusk each day, was released Nov. 17 at the Vatican. The feast was to be celebrated Nov. 26 this year. Archbishop Fitzgerald praised the growing practice of Muslims inviting Christians to join them in breaking the fast and the practice of Christians organizing dinners for Muslims.

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