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Ramadan is not just for Muslims. FRANCE 24 met with a few Christians in Paris who observe the holy month... Guillaume Maillet, a French medical student, observes Ramadan (a holy month for Muslims). For him it’s a gift to his girlfriend. “I’ve been observing Ramadan for the past two years and I think I’ll observe it again in the future. I’ve nothing to lose. It’s manageable physically; and I think it’s an ideal way to prove my love to my better half,” Maillet says.At the same time Guillaume doesn’t want to go overboard, he fasts only on his days off from work. He enjoys the serene ambiance at home before breaking the day’s fast. “In the evening, I love sharing Iftar (the first meal to break the day’s fast) with my girlfriend. There is a tiny notion of a reward and there is something euphoric about the whole thing.” He recalls the excitement during Christmas when Santa Claus climbs down the chimney to leave gifts. “We wait in excitement, day and night on 24th (Christmas eve), to discover our gifts the next day,” says Maillet.While Maillet says the process reminds him to think about those who are starving, he admits that he wasn’t motivated by spirituality to observe Ramadan.
“I don’t drink…not even on the sly!”
God, Islam, mektub (destiny), spirituality, religion…these words often come to the mind during the month of Ramadan. However they aren’t very significant to Jean-Pierre Malvis. The 32-year-old French engineer already finds it hard to follow Catholic principles. Unlike Maillet, Malvis observes Ramadan for only one or two days as a sign of “solidarity and respect for his wife.”“I just follow whatever she does. I don’t eat, I don’t smoke and I restrict myself from the same activities as she does. And imagine this….I don’t drink, not even on the sly!”So what does he learn after an entire day of fasting? Nothing much, admits this agnostic who describes himself as someone who doesn’t take fasting too seriously. “Apart from the fact that historically Ramadan is for the rich, who deprive themselves of all luxuries to experience what the poverty-stricken people go through, I find no other reason than this,” Malvis says. He bitterly adds “At least I know that I’ll eat in the evening but the poor don’t know when they will eat next. This is something I find strange in Ramadan.”This, however, is not the case for 24-year-old Miguel Chemin, resident of Arceuil, in the Parisien banlieue. He immerses himself in the religious ambiance which characterizes this sacred month. A Christian who converted to Islam after marrying a Tunisian woman, Chemin doesn’t observe Ramadan partially. He fasts during the entire month and increases his religious activities. “The first time I fasted only for the first four days but for the past four years I observe fasts the entire month,” says Chemin.
“Ramadan purifies my soul and washes away my sins”(1)
Armed with faith and desire, Miguel Chemin observes the fast only for God. Initially he did it to please his girlfriend. Our relationship was in its early stages and it was important to show her family that it was something serious. Today he thinks the benefits are countless. “Ramadan purifies my body and soul. It washes away all my sins and helps me get a step closer to the master of the Universe. For Chemin “Tomorrow, even if I’m no longer with my wife, I would continue to follow the same path; it’s mektub (destiny). God wanted my life’s path to cross with that of Islam.”
How many Christians observe Ramadan in France? A question that leaves an official at the Paris Mosque surprised. He admits that they never pondered over the question. “It’s true that many Christians come to the mosque to eat during Iftar but we never thought of asking them if they were fasting or not; it’s a sensitive question related to their personal life,” he admits.Close to 4 million Muslims live in France. It’s the country’s second religion after Christianity. Mixed marriages are also on the rise. According to statistics published by the National Institute of Demographic Studies or INPED, close to 20,000 mixed marriages took place in 2006 alone.
“I don’t drink…not even on the sly!”
God, Islam, mektub (destiny), spirituality, religion…these words often come to the mind during the month of Ramadan. However they aren’t very significant to Jean-Pierre Malvis. The 32-year-old French engineer already finds it hard to follow Catholic principles. Unlike Maillet, Malvis observes Ramadan for only one or two days as a sign of “solidarity and respect for his wife.”“I just follow whatever she does. I don’t eat, I don’t smoke and I restrict myself from the same activities as she does. And imagine this….I don’t drink, not even on the sly!”So what does he learn after an entire day of fasting? Nothing much, admits this agnostic who describes himself as someone who doesn’t take fasting too seriously. “Apart from the fact that historically Ramadan is for the rich, who deprive themselves of all luxuries to experience what the poverty-stricken people go through, I find no other reason than this,” Malvis says. He bitterly adds “At least I know that I’ll eat in the evening but the poor don’t know when they will eat next. This is something I find strange in Ramadan.”This, however, is not the case for 24-year-old Miguel Chemin, resident of Arceuil, in the Parisien banlieue. He immerses himself in the religious ambiance which characterizes this sacred month. A Christian who converted to Islam after marrying a Tunisian woman, Chemin doesn’t observe Ramadan partially. He fasts during the entire month and increases his religious activities. “The first time I fasted only for the first four days but for the past four years I observe fasts the entire month,” says Chemin.
“Ramadan purifies my soul and washes away my sins”(1)
Armed with faith and desire, Miguel Chemin observes the fast only for God. Initially he did it to please his girlfriend. Our relationship was in its early stages and it was important to show her family that it was something serious. Today he thinks the benefits are countless. “Ramadan purifies my body and soul. It washes away all my sins and helps me get a step closer to the master of the Universe. For Chemin “Tomorrow, even if I’m no longer with my wife, I would continue to follow the same path; it’s mektub (destiny). God wanted my life’s path to cross with that of Islam.”
How many Christians observe Ramadan in France? A question that leaves an official at the Paris Mosque surprised. He admits that they never pondered over the question. “It’s true that many Christians come to the mosque to eat during Iftar but we never thought of asking them if they were fasting or not; it’s a sensitive question related to their personal life,” he admits.Close to 4 million Muslims live in France. It’s the country’s second religion after Christianity. Mixed marriages are also on the rise. According to statistics published by the National Institute of Demographic Studies or INPED, close to 20,000 mixed marriages took place in 2006 alone.
PS:(1)According to the Bible-the Word of God-the way to Wash AWAY SINS is thru repentance of sin and accepting the redemptive work of Jesus in the cross of Calvary.It is thru HIS BLOOD that our sins are washed away:
--"For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."(Acts 22:15-16)
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."(Acts 22:15-16)
--"Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins."(Acts 5:31)
--"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace..."(Ephesians 1:6-7)
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace..."(Ephesians 1:6-7)
Jesus payed the PRICE in FULL for our sins-the sins of all humanity-and no fast,no ritual once a year can wash away our sins...It is thru faith in JesusChrist the Risen Lord that we have forgiveness of sins and their washing away thereof thru His sacrifice as of a Perfect Lamb.ONly in JESUS there is REDEMPTION OF SINS,for as it is written:
--"This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."(Acts 4:11-12)
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."(Acts 4:11-12)
--"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."(1 Timothy 2:3-6)
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."(1 Timothy 2:3-6)
One last word.No man can serve two masters,as it is written:
--"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. "(Matthew 6:24)
IF you are truly saved you cannot partake of Ramadan,and still be a born again christian;the same way you cannot partake of any other ritual offered to an idol and worship the Lord Jesus.How can you worship idols and strange gods and still call on the name of the Lord as ABBA FATHER....?
May be it is a time for some to truly think about making a decision to whom you will follow...
As in the days of Noah...
