By: Sarah Mattea Lane, Life Together Fellow
This year, Ramadan, Passover, and Easter are neighbors on our interfaith calendar, and the closeness of these three holidays only occurs every 33 years! In the midst of our hectic lives, we find some solace in these neighboring dates, stretching across the calendar to one another like old friends. Safe Havens is dedicated to approaching our work through an interfaith lens and we wanted to pause to give thanks for this meeting of our interfaith family.
Beyond their mere placement on a calendar, we recognize that each of these unique holidays brings a sense of renewal to faithful people. With the imminent hope of Spring, we also feel the spiritual hope that each of these holidays brings—a hope steeped in connection and renewal. There’s perhaps never been a time when newness has felt so refreshing.
However, amid these similarities and connections between the religious holidays, we also celebrate their vast differences in what each holiday means to people of faith. This year Safe Havens sent out a survey to over 600 faithful people in our community. To honor the overlap and intersection of Ramadan, Passover, and Easter, we asked our community to tell us more about their traditions, celebrations, and what inspires them about their faith. We were delighted by the responses we received, and wanted to share the powerful messages that people find in their faith and its celebrations.
This word cloud was taken from the responses we received. It highlights the themes of family, love, renewal, and freedom that are woven throughout the various Spring holidays.
Why Do You Celebrate?
One of the questions we asked our community was “Why do you celebrate your holiday?” People’s responses were both insightful and moving. People celebrate because it is a chance for change, renewal, and a reboot; because their faith is a space for liberation and freedom; because love, connection, and joy can be radical.
Swipe through to see some direct quotes from Safe Havens’ community on why they celebrate either Ramadan, Passover, or Easter.
What is Your Favorite Holiday Tradition?
We also asked what people’s favorite holiday traditions were, swipe through for some of those responses!
Overall we wish those celebrating Ramadan, Passover, and Easter a joyous celebration and hope that the changing of seasons brings connection, freedom, and renewal to all those who need it. If you would like to share about your faith and your celebrations we encourage that! You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and share or comment on our Ramadan, Passover, and Easter intersection posts. You can also create your own post about why you celebrate and your favorite holiday traditions and tag us in them (@SafeHavens1).
We would love to hear from you!
Ramadan Mubarak!
Chag Pesach Sameach!
Happy Easter!