Congratulatory message of Ayatollah Ghaemmaghami, the chairman of the Islamic Union of Shiah Scholars (IEUS) and İmam and director of the Islamic Center of Hamburg, to Christian sisters and brothers on the occasion of the Christmas.
In the Name of the God who granted us fellowship
‘But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.’ Luke 6: 27-28
‘Do thou good, as Allah has been good to thee, and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief.’ Qasas 77
‘If ye did well, ye did well for yourselves; if ye did evil, (ye did it) against yourselves.’ Isra 7
Dear sisters and brothers;
Christmas reminds us holy Jesus who is Messenger of love and spirituality and it offers a good opportunity to enhance the relationship between us. Spirituality and love are the common essence of all the holy religions. Spirituality is the key of heaven that Jesus and Qor’an notified us about (Qor’an 16, 97; 7, 185). We can get the eternal life only means of giving up hostility towards each other. Jesus emphasized that we are supposed to be good not only to our friends but also to everyone.
Even in Qor’an, it is stated that we should consider no difference between the other people and us. That is the message of all religions. Although each religion has its own special ceremonies and rituals, all has a common spirit. What important is this same spirit. If this essence did not exist, then disagreement between the religions would be unavoidable. When the followers of different religions respect that common essence, then friendship and understanding between them will be arise. God created different religions as well as races so that they could understand and learn from each other.
İf all beliefs, perceptions and people were equal, there would be no pluralism. İn additon, understanding and friendship would have no meaning as understanding has no sense without existing different ways of thinking. İf there are no different ways of thinking and everyone insists on his own perception, then there will never be a mutual understanding. Surely, the divine purpose of that diversity is to make possible people love and understand each other.
Because of ignorance, some people misunderstand and make this an excuse for hostility and disagreement. Therefore, we have to strive hard to spread the divine message of love of Jesus throughout the world.
I hereby wish you all a very happy and blessed Christmas. May God grant you and all people around the world a year with success, happiness, spirituality, love, peace and justice!
Yours sincerely
