March marks the start of Ramadan, a month-long observance celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It is characterised by daytime fasting and nightly feasting.
We reached out to Faithful Witness team members serving in Muslim countries to share their local traditions and personal experiences of Ramadan.
Chad
Ramadan is a time of spiritual renewal and common devotion for Muslim families in Chad. Were you to visit rural Chad during this holiday, you may notice the odd sight of Chadian Muslim men sleeping under trees and compound houses during the day. Women are noticeably absent, because they spend these hours preparing food for Iftar, or the breaking of the fast. The feast takes place at sunset after prayers and may last throughout the night.
Our team member Habiib explains that many view their religious fasting as a means of purifying the soul and developing empathy for the less fortunate. By sharing food and fellowship collectively, Chadian Muslims claim a deeper sense of unity within their religious community – a unity which outweighs social and economic differences.
With so many engaging in acts of charity, fellowship, and prayers, Habiib says this time can be an open door to promote the love of Christ. We pray our Christian brothers and sisters in Chad will have many opportunities during this Ramadan season.
Nigeria
This is a time of joy, happiness and celebration – in some parts of the country the holiday is marked by the rhythmic beating of drums. Woven into the daily lives of Nigerian Muslims are prayers, reading the Quran, the Muslim holy book, and giving to the poor. In other words, people adjust their schedules to engage deeply with their faith and get the most out of the month-long holiday.
Our team member Yosef says some families will also rearrange furniture and renovate their homes, in anticipation of hosting guests during the holiday. Nigerian Muslims break their daily fast each evening with family, friends, and those in need – regardless of religious differences. This is in line with the generous spirit of Ramadan.
Recalling last year, Yosef explains how a visit to students of their all-Muslim English class resulted in an unexpected exchange of gifts. The mission workers were welcomed by more than 20 women and led to a home-made feast. Following the meal, they were given gifts of honey, perfume, dates, scarves, spices and earrings. This same hospitality was extended further by one student who welcomed our mission workers the following day while caring for a sick parent. That gave a great opportunity to share the love of Christ.
May this year bring similar opportunities for our team in Nigeria!
North Africa
The festival is marked by quiet days and extravagant nights. Following the breaking of the fast, many will go out for night-long celebrations. Traditional parts of town and coffee shops are packed with Muslims sharing sweet treats and tea. Many mission workers are invited to join in, with the local people, who are eager to share their traditions and food.
While there are many festivities across the region, Christians often experience spiritual battles during Ramadan. Stories of flooding bathrooms, family-wide sickness, and car troubles are common among the team. This season can also be challenging for local believers, as they often feel isolated for not participating in the daily fast or religious practices of the holiday.
Our team takes special care to extend invitations for breakfast and lunch to local believers so they can share meals in fellowship with Christians. The chance to support the local community is complemented by opportunities to share the gospel with North African Muslims during the long festive nights.
Pray for protection and open doors this year for our teams serving in North Africa.
Pray with us this Ramadan:
As we know from scripture, “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:14). It is no small thing to pray; to pray for specifics, and to pray often.
Our mission workers are preparing for a busy season in Ramadan. As they navigate both the joys and challenges in the month ahead, we invite you to join us in prayer – asking the Lord to protect those serving with Faithful Witness; to open doors for the Gospel, and to bring transformation to hearts and communities across the Muslim world.
