Author(s): Dave Andrews

Christianity | Islam

Sometime ago I fasted for Ramadan and wrote a series of reflections, as a Christian in conversation with Muslim friends, on the spirituality of compassion embodied in the Bismillah - 'In the name of God, the most Gracious, the most Compassionate'.

It was my hope - indeed, my deepest, heartfelt prayer - that Muslims would give this book to Christians, Christians would give this book to Muslims, and Christians and Muslims would come together, to read and to reflect on what we can learn from each other about the amazing Grace and Compassion of God exemplified in the Bismillah.

... It is my prayer that these reflections will create more light - and less heat - in our conversations about 'Isa, the son of Maryam, is the Messenger of God.' (4.171)

People can read these reflections any time. Any time is a good time to read writings that can help us reflect on the birth, life, death and return of Isa, Masih, the Messiah.

However, I have written these reflections in a way that Muslims might find particularly helpful to read in Ramadan - the month of fasting for Muslims - and Christians might find particularly helpful to read in Lent - the month of fasting for Christians.

-- From the foreword by Dave Andrews