Vatican’s message for Eid al Fitr urges education of youth to justice and peace

(August 03, 2012) The Vatican has sent greetings to the world’s Muslims on the occasion of Id al Fitr festival, urging that young Christians and Muslims be educated to justice and peace for the common good. “If the task of education is entrusted to the whole of society…, it is first and foremost, and in a particular way, the work of parents and, with them, of families, schools and universities, not forgetting about those responsible for religious, cultural, social, and economic life, and the world of communication,” said the message by the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Interreligious dialogue, in its annual message for the festival that marks the end of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan. Id al Fitr is marked on different days in different countries depending on the sighting of the moon the previous night, and this year it is expected around Aug. 19. The Vatican said that the common good cannot be achieved without solidarity and fraternal love, and “for believers, genuine justice, lived in the friendship with God, deepens all other relationships: with oneself, with others and with the whole of creation.” Justice, the Pontifical Council explained, has its origin in the fact that “all men are created by God and are called to become one, single family.” “Such a vision of things, with full respect for reason and openness to transcendence, urges all men and women of good will, inviting them to harmonize rights and duties.” True peace is not limited to the mere absence of war, or to a balance between opposing forces. It is a fruit of justice and an effect of charity. Hence, the Vatican said, “it is important that believers are always active in the communities they belong to: by practising compassion, solidarity, collaboration and fraternity, they can effectively contribute towards addressing the great challenges of today: harmonious growth, integral development, prevention and resolution of conflicts, to name just a few.