The Pope Asked Christians to Fast

The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has declared December 14th to be a day of fasting, a prayer, and charity throughout the world, begging for peace, as he indicated in his Angelus message of November 18, 2001: "Each of us who goes without by fasting will be taking on the disposition of the poor, especially those who suffer at present the consequences of terrorism and war."81

(Left) The whole world will hold a fast, (Right) An appeal to the world from the Pope to fast, The last Friday of Ramadan 2001, Pope John Paul II declared December 14th to be a day of fasting, prayer, and charity throughout the world.

This request was immediately put into effect, and on Friday, December 14, prominent Christian leaders visited mosques for Friday prayers and prayed with Muslims. One of these people was the Cardinal Archbishop of Detroit. In his Friday speech at one of Detroit's largest mosques, the Cardinal said:

I thank you for the gracious invitation to share these sacred hours of Ramadan with you and the congregation. I am especially pleased to be with you on this Friday, December 14, as the Catholic Church throughout the world unites itself in solidarity with Muslim believers everywhere in special prayer, fasting, and almsgiving for world peace and for the healing of all who suffer the effects of war and terrorism. . . The events of September 11 remind us that not only have technology and economy become global, but insecurities, fears, violence, injustice, and war have also become global! As the Pope has explained, what we need now is a response of what he calls "globalized charity" .… In the name of all the Catholics of metro Detroit, I offer my apologies and sympathy for any way in which members of our Church have ever offended you by remarks or attitudes of prejudice, anger, or violence.82

Let us lift our minds and hearts to God as we pray for all those who have died because of terrorism; may the Lord grant healing and peace to their families… We ask that the Lord rekindle within us hope for a new beginning as one human family. May we together receive and share God's forgiveness and mercy. To the merciful and almighty, the creator of heaven and earth, we submit ourselves in all humility and gratitude.83

Afterwards, before the reading of the Gospel, Surat al-Fatiha was recited to the congregation. This certainly was an extraordinary occasion, and a sign that a very important period has begun. This rapprochement is an important stage of the spread of religious morality throughout the world.

A Meeting in Brussels on "The Peace of God in the World"

A Joint Statement of the German Clergy

Brussels declaration: Extremists do not reflect any religion. A December 2001 meeting in Brussels, organized by Romano Prodi, president of the European Commission, and the Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos was attended by more than 80 members of the clergy. Participants expressed that it is absolutely essential for the three religions to work together for world peace. The final report began with this sentence: "The will of God is for the peace of heaven to reign on earth." The following words also are of interest: "We unanimously reject the assumption that religion contributes to an inevitable clash of civilizations. On the contrary we affirm the constructive and instructive role of religion in the dialogue among civilizations."1 http://www.orthodoxa.org/patriarcat/documents/BrusselsDeclaration.htm

In a meeting held in Germany's Fatih Mosque, representatives of the three religions prayed for those who lost their lives on 9/11. The message delivered was that religious morality deplores terror, and that peace can be established only when people live their lives according to religious morality.

More than 200 Religious Leaders Gathered at Assisi

A Pope Visits A Mosque For the First Time in History

(Above) An appeal from John Paul II for all religions to meet, (Middle) 12 different religious representatives pray for peace in Rome, (Below) The BBC provided general information about the meeting in a report called "Pope calls Assisi peace meeting."On the Pope's invitation, as many as 200 religious leaders gathered in the Italian city of Assisi and prayed for world peace. About 5,000 people attended. In his address, the Pope said that violence and fanaticism were alien to religion and, if the world is to have a long-lasting peace, it was necessary to foster justice and forgiveness.

(Above) The Pope went to a mosque (Middle) Yesterday for the first time a Pope went to a mosque, Pope John Paul II's visit to Syria's Umayyad Mosque in 2001 was the first papal visit to a mosque ever. (Below) On his 2001 Middle East tour, as a sign of respect, the Pope kissed the Qur'an given to him as a gift by Muslim clergyman.

Members of the Christian Clergy Turn to Islam (Left) After 9/11 I started to read the Qur'an, Abbé Pierre, selected as France's favorite clergyman, said he began to read the Qur'an after 9/11, and that it was a wonderful book. In an interview with the French magazine Le Point, he explained: Islam has preserved the deeds and actions that strengthen religious faith and connect people with God. This is demonstrated by the simultaneous and sincere prostrations performed in God's presence by thousands of people following the month of Ramadan. In our schools they tell us about the glory and the importance of the Crusades. But later we learned how shameful these crusades were. Crusaders committed terrible crimes and sins along the way.In his article in the Telegraph, Catholic priest David McLaurin said that Islam preserves the purity and sincerity that Christianity has lost and that this is why many people are turning to it.

God does not forbid you from being good to those who have not fought you in the religion or driven you from your homes, or from being just towards them. God loves those who are just. (Qur'an, 60:8)

81. "Day of Fasting, Prayer, and Charity for Peace - The Pope's Appeal," http://www.vatican.va/special/notice_20011214_en.html.
82. "Remarks by Adam Cardinal Maida Mosque, December 14, 2001," www.aodonline.org
83. Ibid.