Muslims observe Lent in show of solidarity with Christians

From The Independent:

In a show of solidarity, Muslims are standing with Christians and giving up guilty pleasures for lent.

For Christians, Lent is a period of self-restraint, marked by fasting, repentance, prayer and self-control. Luxury or rich foods, such as meat and dairy are often avoided by those taking part.

Abstention from personal “bad habits” such as watching television or eating too much sugar is also commonly practised.

The observance starts on Ash Wednesday and lasts until Easter, as Christians imitate the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in a desert before being blessed by John the Baptist.

Using #Muslims4Lent, followers of Islam are tweeting photos of themselves in which they declare what they will be giving up.

Muslim American entrepreneur Bassel Riche, 28, told The Independent  that he was inspired to start the started the campaign after non-Muslim students joined in with the Muslim Students Association’s Ramadan Fast-a-Thon at his former college, The University of Houston.

“We would all gather in a big hall and break our fast together at a hosted dinner and partake in interfaith dialogue,” he said, explaining that he had observed Lent for four years, and wanted to encourage fellow Muslims to join him this year.

Read more and see some of the photographs here. 

Photo: from The Independent via Twitter