Bosnians Recover a Tradition of Inter-Religious Hospitality
Before the Bosnian War in the early 90’s, Bosnia and Herzegovina enjoyed a long-held tradition of Christians hosting Muslims for Iftar during Ramadan, and Muslims hosting Christians during Lent and around Christmas or Easter. Before the war, it was very normal for neighbors to celebrate one another’s religious holidays with them through hospitality in one another’s homes, especially in Sarajevo where there was such diversity and even intermarriage between people of different faiths. Things like this happened all the time. But that was before the war. Now, in 2019, when our pastor suggested not only inviting members of the congregation to show up to an Iftar somewhere, but to actively host one on our own turf – well, that was a little unusual.
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The Simplest Act May Be The Most Powerful
Jason, a pastor from California, shared an example of the very thing that’s happening at tables and gatherings across the U.S. because of you and your partnership in this work.
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Five Reasons Christians Should Attend an Iftar During Ramadan
We’re all about gathering Muslims and Christians together in ways that foster relationship, and Ramadan is a great time to do that. Our Muslim friends are already gathering many evenings throughout the month to break their fasts together, and they often invite us into their space to share this meal with them. Sometimes Christians are hesitant about the idea, though, perhaps fearing the unknown or not wanting to appear supportive of another religion. So here are a few reasons I think it’s important and valuable for Christians to attend an Iftar meal during Ramadan.
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How To Live Out Solidarity
In the aftermath of recent shootings, many Christians are expressing the desire to show solidarity with Muslim communities around them. Solidarity is defined as “unity or agreement of feeling or action,” but what does that really mean, and how is it actually done?
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New Zealand Mosque Shooting: What You Can Do
The work of preventing terrorism and hate is not simply the job of governments or law enforcement. It involves each and every one of us, including you. Whatever your faith, the world literally needs you to be a peacemaker. YOU can change the world and save lives. Here are some ways you can make a real difference.
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Bosnia Mosque Visit: Are Love and Forgiveness Common in Islam?
Christian refugee workers and ministry leaders from around the world visited a mosque in Sarajevo this month to learn from local Muslims about Islam, the refugee crisis, and the opportunities and challenges that occur when doing humanitarian work and talking about faith. Here’s what we can all learn from their conversation.
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How to Find Goodness in People "On the Other Side"
A few days ago over coffee, I enjoyed a good conversation with a Muslim friend whom I met on my first trip to Bosnia. He shared with me how much he loved a recent message from Pope Francis that called Christians to focus on simplicity, charity, and love instead of the materialism and greed that usually accompanies the holiday season. He also lamented how Muslims are often trained to try to persuade Christians through arguments, rather than spending time learning about and from them.
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This is What Local Peacemaking Looks Like
It’s a diverse community with the potential for dangerous divisions. But it’s this very diversity that is bringing people of different faiths and all walks of life together. A major refugee resettlement city, Boise is home to new Americans from around the world, a majority of them Muslims, and Peace Catalyst peacemakers Nick and Laura Armstrong are at the heart of local efforts that are bringing community members together in deep and perhaps unexpected friendships.
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Bosnia's Youth Build Peace and Accept Differences
In mid-December, an NGO in Bosnia and Herzegovina that we partner with called Small Steps hosted over 100 youth from around the country for a celebration concluding a 2-year program, “Encouraging Children to Accept Differences.” Over these last two years, the kids have gotten to know each other while participating in nonviolent communication workshops and traveling to neighboring municipalities to spend time with youth of other ethnic and religious backgrounds.
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