God’s Hope for America Tour Coincides with Ramadan
Millions of Muslims around the world began fasting for the holy month of Ramadan this past weekend. Ramadan is observed during the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which this year began on Saturday, June 28, and Muslims worldwide participate by fasting from sunup to sundown. The practice is not just about the physical aspect of denying food to the body but is also a time for deep spiritual reflection. During Ramadan Muslims not only fast from food and drink but also refrain from things like gossip, obscenity and even looking at sinful things. They are called to re-evaluate their lives through the sacrifice of material needs.
It is an interesting coincidence that the God’s Hope for America bus tour is coinciding with this year’s observance of Ramadan. Riders on the bus find themselves physically challenged in many ways. Most are getting less sleep than normal, and they enjoy very little personal space or free time. It is an almost entirely “public experience” once they get on the bus each day. But when bodily comfort is denied, emotions and spirit can come to the surface more easily. Thus it is easier to pray with a deep heart of gratitude and repentance.
True Father expressed respect for all sincere religious believers and especially worked to bring unity of heart among the three Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. He stated in his autobiography, “I first set foot in Jerusalem in 1965. … I put my hand on a two-thousand-year-old olive tree that could have witnessed Jesus’ prayer [on the Mount of Olives]. … I drove three nails in that tree, one for Judaism, one for Christianity and one for Islam. I prayed for the day when these three families of faith would become one. World peace cannot come unless Judaism, Christianity and Islam embrace as one.”
As Muslims around the world are fasting to purify their words, thoughts and actions, American Unificationists are striving for a similar purification and revival on the national level. The tour’s motto, “Remember, Revive, Reimagine,” is one that we all can take to heart. Unificationism sees Jews, Christians and Muslims as descendants of a single ancestor, Abraham, and a single spiritual parent, God. As such, they should seek reconciliation through mutual respect and love. This reconciliation is the key to resolving the religion-related conflicts of the world today.
As Unificationists make their way across the country to spread God’s message, those of us following along at home can be a part of the journey by reflecting on our own lives, putting aside the needs of the moment, and thinking instead about how we each can play a part in creating a better nation and world. So, to all of our Muslim friends, Ramadan Mubarak! And to all the tour participants, as well as those following along at home, may our Heavenly Parent bless your way and touch your heart.