President’s Ramadan message
Oklahoma Muslims begin Ramadan, the holy month of fasting today.
Here is the test of President Barack Obama’s Ramadan message, sent from the White House Office of Media Affairs Office:
On behalf of the American people – including Muslim communities in all fifty states – I want to extend best wishes to Muslims in America and around the world. Ramadan Kareem.
Ramadan is the month in which Muslims believe the Koran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, beginning with a simple word – iqra. It is therefore a time when Muslims reflect upon the wisdom and guidance that comes with faith, and the responsibility that human beings have to one another, and to God.
Like many people of different faiths who have known Ramadan through our communities and families, I know this to be a festive time – a time when families gather, friends host iftars, and meals are shared. But I also know that Ramadan is a time of intense devotion and reflection – a time when Muslims fast during the day and perform tarawih prayers at night, reciting and listening to the entire Koran over the course of the month.
These rituals remind us of the principles that we hold in common, and Islam’s role in advancing justice, progress, tolerance, and the dignity of all human beings.
For instance, fasting is a concept shared by many faiths – including my own Christian faith – as a way to bring people closer to God, and to those among us who cannot take their next meal for granted. And the support that Muslims provide to others recalls our responsibility to advance opportunity and prosperity for people everywhere. For all of us must remember that the world we want to build – and the changes that we want to make – must begin in our own hearts, and our own communities.
This summer, people across America have served in their communities – educating children, caring for the sick, and extending a hand to those who have fallen on hard times. Faith-based organizations, including many Islamic organizations, have been at the forefront in participating in this summer of service. And in these challenging times, this is a spirit of responsibility that we must sustain in the months and years to come.
Beyond America’s borders, we are also committed to keeping our responsibility to build a world that is more peaceful and secure. That is why we are responsibly ending the war in Iraq. That is why we are isolating violent extremists while empowering the people in places like Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is why we are unyielding in our support for a two-state solution that recognizes the rights of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. And that is why America will always stand for the universal rights of all people to speak their mind, practice their religion, contribute fully to society and have confidence in the rule of law.
All of these efforts are a part of America’s commitment to engage Muslims and Muslim-majority nations on the basis of mutual interest and mutual respect. And at this time of renewal, I want to reiterate my commitment to a new beginning between America and Muslims around the world.
As I said in Cairo, this new beginning must be borne out in a sustained effort to listen to each other, to learn from each other, to respect one another, and to seek common ground. I believe an important part of this is listening, and in the last two months, American embassies around the world have reached out not just to governments, but directly to people in Muslim-majority countries. From around the world, we have received an outpouring of feedback about how America can be a partner on behalf of peoples’ aspirations.
We have listened. We have heard you. And like you, we are focused on pursuing concrete actions that will make a difference over time – both in terms of the political and security issues that I have discussed, and in the areas that you have told us will make the most difference in peoples’ lives.
These consultations are helping us implement the partnerships that I called for in Cairo – to expand education exchange programs; to foster entrepreneurship and create jobs; and to increase collaboration on science and technology, while supporting literacy and vocational learning. We are also moving forward in partnering with the OIC and OIC member states to eradicate polio, while working closely with the international community to confront common health challenges like H1N1 – which I know is of particular to concern to many Muslims preparing for the upcoming hajj.
All of these efforts are aimed at advancing our common aspirations – to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God. It will take time and patient effort. We cannot change things over night, but we can honestly resolve to do what must be done, while setting off in a new direction – toward the destination that we seek for ourselves, and for our children. That is the journey that we must travel together.
I look forward to continuing this critically important dialogue and turning it into action. And today, I want to join with the 1.5 billion Muslims around the world – and your families and friends – in welcoming the beginning of Ramadan, and wishing you a blessed month. May God’s peace be upon you.
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Posted by
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Aug. 22 Today’s Prayer
Thank You, dear Lord, for the wonderful world You have given us. Allow us to appreciate it more. Amen.Realism in “Post Grad” gets low grade
“Post Grad,” the new movie starring Alexis Bledel, didn’t get high marks from a reviewer with Crosswalk.com’s “Faith and Film.”
Reviewer Christa Banister said the film spends way too much time focusing on the family of Bledel’s character and not enough on her character’s very relevant hunt for job success after college graduation.
Read the full review here: “Post Grad Doesn’t Earn High Marks in Reality.”
Incidentally, The Oklahoman’s reviewer, George Lang, gave the film only two stars.
From time to time, I’ll share these reviews from Crosswalk.com and other Web sites that watch for family friendly content in movies.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Aug. 21 Today’s Prayer
Why did Ted Haggard’s wife stay?
Lots of people have been asking this question ever since evangelist Ted Haggard resigned as pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., and as president of the National Association of Evangelicals after confessing to “sexual immorality” in 2006 : Why did his wife continue to stay with him?
Well, Gayle Haggard is about to give an answer to that query.
The Associated Press is reporting that Gayle Haggard is writing a book about how she dealt with the scandal surrounding her husband’s actions. Haggard’s public tumble from grace came after a male prostitute alleged that he had a sex-for-money arrangement with the outspoken evangelist.
Gayle Haggard’s memoir is to be titled “Why I Stayed” according to Tyndale House Publishers.
“This is my story of choosing to love my husband through some of the most difficult challenges any marriage could face,” Gayle Haggard said in a statement picked up by The Associated Press.
Haggard has since said that he has worked with counselors and no longer has sexual desire for men, the Associated Press reports.
The book is to be released in January.
(AP PHOTO AT RIGHT: Gayle Haggard is shown with her husband, Ted Haggard, right, in this 2006 photo taken in Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Aug. 20 Today’s Prayer
Aug. 19 Today’s Prayer
Catholic bishops launch Web site on health care reform
Health care reform is on everybody’s lips these days.
Some faith groups have joined the fray.
They have their own opinions and they want to share them.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently launched a new Web site to promote its support of “truly universal health policy with respect for human life and dignity.”
You can find it here: www.usccb.org/healthcare.
The page includes letters from bishops to Congress, videos, facts and statistics, frequently asked questions, and links for contacting members of Congress.
A news release about the new site said people can access Web videos of conference policy staff discussing the bishops’ position on health care.
Expect to see facts and statistics about Catholic health care in America, as well.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Concert alert: Avalon and Selah
Just got word that contemporary Christian groups Avalon (pictured below) and Selah are to perform in concert Oct. 9 at Victory Church, 4300 N MacArthur.
There’s incentive to get your tickets in advance: Tickets are $20 in advance and $40 the day of the show.
Avalon’s release “Reborn” is in stores now. Selah has a new release marking their 10th anniversary, “You Deliver Me.”
The concert is in conjunction with Victory’s Beautiful Women Conference.
More information about the concert will be featured soon in The Oklahoman.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Aug. 18 Today’s Prayer
When times are difficult, dear Lord, we appreciate how You offer us forgiveness and grace in our lives. Amen.
