tribesofsinai2024

The month of Ramadan is seen by many Muslims as the most sacred month of the year. It has two primary goals. Firstly, to abstain from everything that makes people forget Allah. Secondly to pay attention to his guidance through the Quran.

Many interpret this to mean a time to struggle against one’s lower instincts and appetites and to recite as much of the Quran as possible. For others, it is not just an internal struggle to align oneself with Islam but also an external struggle to fight and overcome the enemies of Islam.

The Battle of Badr was the first jihad during Ramadan in 624. Eight years later Mohammed conquered Mecca in the month of Ramadan. This set a precedent for Ramadan to be best time for waging holy war. For devout believers to fight, kill and be killed to expand Islam is seen by some as an act of worship.

Currently Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, and other radical groups are seeking to stir up religious zeal against Israel, especially during this season of Ramadan.

Here in the Sinai people are reminded continually on their TVs of the 30,000 Palestinians killed by Israelis in their campaign against Hamas.

Many here believe the al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem will be the focal rallying point for the devout to assemble and conquer their enemies. At the same time, liberal leaders and ordinary Muslims are hoping that the crisis can be contained and not spread.

Reflection

• Who do you believe will ultimately triumph over hatred, fear, and death?

• How will you reflect (or possibly deny) this belief in your conversations today?

A few days ago, at the summit of Jebel Musa, the traditional site for Mount Sinai, I met a strong and smart Egyptian journalist who was struggling to process all the violence and corruption was researching. As I told him the Lord loved him and loved every man, woman and child on this planet and didn’t want us to fight one another, he sobbed. As I turned to go down and join my friends he called after me ‘’I hope you are right.’’

• How can the Good News of love and truth triumph over propaganda, fear and hate this day?

Prayer

Slowly and deliberately thank the Lord for the truth of each line of Psalm 46.
Believe it, confess it, and banish all fear heaviness and doubt in Jesus’ Name!

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.