Monday, February 23, 2026: This is the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan

Before reflecting on the holy month of Ramadan, JoAnn asked me to publish Luis Janssen's new address. Today is his 90th birthday and I'm sure he would appreciate emails, cards or  notes:

Luis Janssen: 

Phone: (707) 331-6045

Email: LJJanssen@aol.com

Mailing address: 3729 E. Strawberry Drive

Gilbert,  Arizona 85298

Reflection on Ramadan by Friends of Sabeel:

During his ministry on earth, Jesus often ran into trouble with his own people by associating with those of different tribes and groups and by challenging the notions of a “chosen people” who were better than others. 

He recognized the humanity of all, and freely associated with the gentiles, the Samaritans, the women, the vulnerable and those rejected by his society as less worthy of respect and dignity. As his followers, we can do no less. It is in this spirit that we view all people with dignity and respect and wish our Muslim siblings a Happy and Blessed Ramadan. 

This is the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan. We extend our congratulations to all our Muslim friends and supporters, especially those who are fasting and otherwise celebrating this Holy month with prayers, contemplation, charity, and self reflection. In Muslim-majority countries, the entire society adjusts  and the atmosphere changes, especially the evenings after the Iftar, (breaking the fast).  The entire atmosphere is truly something to experience. Almost 2 billion people throughout the world are adherents of Islam, one of the three main monotheistic religions, and they are all celebrating this month in one way or another.

In the US, it is sobering to consider that Muslims (with a population of about 4.5 million) are probably the most vulnerable community, still subject to racism, discrimination, and open hostility. 

The Muslim community is rarely represented in public life, or in the literature, media and general consciousness of Americans. Partly, this is because many have not yet assimilated into American life or learned to use the levers of power potentially provided by our democratic system. Many are afraid to be politically active or even to register to vote for fear of retaliation. In the present atmosphere, they can hardly be blamed. The current administration shamelessly favors “Christian nationalism” and openly treats Muslims as alien and potentially hostile. Former President Obama was and is often maligned by being falsely accused of being Muslim (as if that were a shameful or disqualifying identity). 

The greatest problem facing the Muslim community is the abysmal ignorance most Americans have regarding Islam. First and foremost is the lack of appreciation of the variety of views, denominations, cultures, languages and perspectives within Islam. Just as Christians are divided into thousands of denominations and the Christian world encompasses a bewildering variety of theological, philosophical and cultural groups, so too does Islam. To think of Islam as a monolith is absurd. Even among well-educated and cultured Americans, there is an abysmal ignorance regarding Islam. 

It is equally absurd to take a caricature of one faction of Muslims and project it on all Muslims, such that anyone with an Islamic or Arabic name, or anyone with darker skin, sporting a beard, or wearing a hijab is automatically viewed with suspicion and branded with all the negative stereotypes that have been developed over centuries about Muslims and Islam.

This hostility and negativity is not helped by the history of conflict between Western empires and Muslim countries and peoples going back to the times of the Crusades, reinforced through the colonial era, highlighted during the period of decolonialization, and the ongoing struggle with western imperial intervention as well as the struggle with  Zionism in the present era. The current interest in oil and the geopolitical interests of the West in dominating much of the Muslim world and its riches has also contributed to this continuing hostility.

Racism and discrimination against any community is despicable. Thankfully, racism and hostility towards Jews is the subject of rigorous pushback, with laws, regulations, organizations and determined efforts to confront and resist antisemitic discrimination against them (as it should be), yet no such general effort or opprobrium is connected to discrimination against Muslims who continue to be publicly maligned with impunity.

The month of Ramadan offers many opportunities to correct this situation. We urge all to take advantage of this month to visit your local mosque or Islamic community center, to hold interfaith iftars, to learn more about Islam and your Muslim neighbors, colleagues, and siblings, and to assist in the process of making them feel welcome as full citizens and members of the communities where they live. They should be invited  and encouraged to join civil activities and public events. 

This is part of the American ideal of a pluralistic society where people from many cultures, religions, races and countries of origin can enjoy the liberties, freedoms and equality guaranteed by the Constitution, but it is also a Christian value that we cherish and advocate reflecting God’s love to all, impartiality, and his rejection of the notions of superiority, supremacy, or advantages to any group, including Christians.