Muslims join Christians for 40 days Lenten fast

oge okonkwo

February 19, 2015 5:44 PM

Muslim-American Bassel Riche started the campaign using the hashtag #Muslims4Lent and has promoted it through a Facebook event page and on Twitter

As Christians begin their 40-day fast leading up to Easter, some Muslims are pledging to fast alongside their Christian neighbors this year in a display of solidarity and interfaith appreciation.

They also hope it will become an annual tradition.

Muslim-American Bassel Riche started the campaign using the hashtag #Muslims4Lent and has promoted it through a Facebook event page and on Twitter.

Riche is also the creator of EidPrayLove, a website that aims to showcase "the true teachings of Islam: peace, unity, and coexistence."

Speaking to Huffington Post, Riche said, "Thus far, the reaction from Muslims and Christians alike has been wonderful and overwhelmingly positive."

"Many of my Christian friends have responded showing their support and appreciation for these interfaith efforts. I hope this is just the beginning."

"The hope is that by doing these things we are making ourselves accessible to people to ask questions about Islam to help bridge the gap of understanding and to reclaim our voice that has been hijacked by our extremists," he said.

#Muslims4Lent has a similar agenda to promote interfaith understanding, this time by engaging Muslims in a holiday period typically only observed by Christians.

oge okonkwo