Vatican message to Muslims: "We are spiritually very close to you…"

The traditional message for the conclusion of Ramadan this year includes a plea for peace and an end to fanatacism.

Excerpt:

Christians and Muslims, beyond their differences, recognise the dignity of the human person endowed with both rights and duties. They think that intelligence and freedom are indeed gifts which must impel believers to recognize these values which are shared because they rest on the same human nature.

This is why the transmission of such human and moral values to theyounger generations constitutes a common concern. It is our duty to help them discover that there is both good and evil, that conscience is a sanctuary to berespected, and that cultivating the spiritual dimension makes us more responsible, more supportive, more available for the common good.

Christians and Muslims are too often witnesses to the violation of the sacred, of the mistrust of which those who call themselves believers are the target. We cannot but denounce all forms of fanaticism and intimidation, the prejudices and the polemics, as well as the discrimination of which, at times, believers are the object both in the social and political life as well as in the mass media. We are spiritually very close to you, dear Friends, asking God to give you renewed spiritual energy and we send you our very best wishes for peace and happiness.

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