Latest news with #GreatLent
Zawya
16-04-2025
- General
- Zawya
The Great Lent: A time of Profound Introspection and Spiritual Discipline
In Eritrea, April ushers in a transition period marked by the arrival of 'Azmera,' the nascent quasi-season that signals the end of the Great Fast. For rural communities deeply intertwined with agriculture, this month is eagerly anticipated. Azmera's gentle rainfall provides the vital moisture needed to sow seeds, preparing the land for the heavier summer rains. Meanwhile, in urban centers, residents weary of the dry winter sun yearn for Azmera's temperate breezes brought by the sporadic showers. This anticipation is heightened by the approach of Easter, the culmination of the lengthy spiritual observance of Great Lent. The Great Lent, known traditionally as 'Tsom Arba'a,' is one of Christianity's most significant and protracted fasting periods. This season is a time of profound introspection and spiritual discipline in Eritrea. Nearly half the nation engages in this period of sobriety, supplication, and self-examination. Religion, a cornerstone of cultural heritage, shapes the very fabric of society. It serves as a vital instrument in fostering social harmony and balancing diversity. During the fifty-five days of the Great Lent, Christian adherents are guided by righteous conduct, emphasizing moral growth, self-improvement, and goodwill. The harmonious coexistence of citizens during 'Tsom Arba'a' is palpable. The sight of believers spending their days fasting and praying and their evenings sharing meals with neighbors and friends—including those of different faiths—is a testament to this unity. This practice transcends religious ritual, a powerful tool for building cohesion across religious and ethnic diversities. Beyond its spiritual and social significance, the Great Lent offers a unique culinary experience. While it doesn't necessitate complete abstinence from food throughout the day, Lenten meals, typically consumed in the afternoon, require strict avoidance of meat, dairy, fish, and eggs. The traditional dishes prepared during this period are visually appealing, flavorful, highly nutritious, and low in fat. For nearly two months, those observing the fast abstain from these prohibited foods. This year, Lent began in February, with Easter Sunday, or Resurrection Sunday, falling on April 20th. The preceding months saw believers dedicating themselves to fasting, personal and communal prayer, confession, self-reflection, and mutual support. Sunday, April 13th, a national holiday, commemorated Hosanna Palm Sunday, marking Christ's entry into Jerusalem. Churches distributed palm branches, which were intricately woven into crucifixes, decorative rings, and other ornaments. Crafting these palm leaves, particularly the pyramid-shaped rings known as 'Shbo' in Tigrinya, has become an integral part of Eritrean culture. Though rooted in spiritual practice, these rings are often worn for their aesthetic appeal, even by non-Christians, as a unique annual tradition. Passion Week, or Holy Week, known locally as 'Hmamat,' represents the final, most intense week of Lent before Easter. This period is characterized by deepened spiritual engagement, with believers devoting more time to religious practices. Meals are prepared later in the day, and stricter observances are followed, including abstaining from handshaking, clapping, and secular music. The palpable sense of harmony during this time is mainly due to non-Christians' respect for the believers' observances. Maundy Thursday, or 'Hamus Tsgbo,' features the traditional preparation of 'Ttqo,' a high protein cereal dish. The custom of mothers cooking 'Ttqo' outdoors and sharing it with neighbors and passersby, regardless of their faith, is a poignant expression of community spirit. The culmination of the Great Lent and Passion Week is Good Friday, or 'Arbi Sqlet,' which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This day of mourning and reflection sees schools, workplaces, and some public services closed. Many believers spend the day in churches. At 6 PM, families and neighbors gather for a meal, breaking an eighteen-hour fast. Holy Saturday is marked by congregants dressed in white, attending church services until midnight. After midnight, they return home to break the Lenten fast with a feast, often featuring traditional porridge, 'Ge'at.' Many, particularly in Asmara, eagerly anticipate the return of milk-based drinks like macchiato or savory dishes like 'Zgni' and omelets. This year, the overlapping of the Christian Lent (February 24th – April 20th) and the Muslim Ramadan (March 1st – 30th) highlighted the shared values of self-reflection and unity across religious boundaries. While expressed differently, fasting in both religions embodies a strong value system that promotes self-reflection and fosters a robust sense of unity within diversity. Eritrean culture's deep respect for both religions is evident in the annual observance of these cultural and religious rituals, serving as a constant reminder of the solidarity and coherence that underpins the nation. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
National News
15-03-2025
- Politics
- National News
President Aoun's address at the Dar Al-Fatwa Iftar
NNA - Below is the delivered speech of the President of the Lebanese Republic, General Joseph Aoun, at the Iftar of Dar Al-Fatwa on Saturday, March 15, 2025: "Your Eminence the Grand Mufti of the Republic, Host of this Iftar banquet, Your Excellency the Speaker of the Parliament, Your Excellency the President of the Council of Ministers, Your Excellencies Former Presidents and Prime Ministers, Your Beatitudes and Eminences, Your Excellencies Ministers and Members of the Parliament, Distinguished guests, It is with great pleasure that I accept the invitation of His Eminence the Grand Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian, to participate in the Iftar banquet hosted by Dar Al-Fatwa, during these blessed days of the holy month of Ramadan, month of compassion, for the first time after several years of involuntary interruption caused by compelling circumstances. As providence would have it, the Holy Month coincides with the Great Lent this year. For fasting, which is a shared spiritual practice between Muslims and Christians, means getting closer to God through prayer, worship, repentance, forgiveness, patience, restraint, goodwill and solidarity with the poor and indigent. Thankfully, this is what we see and sense in our society during this blessed month. Whereas fasting calls us to solidarity and unity, then Ramadan serves as a reminder of the importance of engagement and positive involvement in our nation's issues. For Lebanon that we all so cherish is a message and an example of diversity and pluralism. It is an inclusive homeland that can accommodate everyone, with their various affiliations and beliefs; hence, the importance of political participation across the full spectrum of Lebanese society, without marginalization, isolation, or exclusion of any segment of society. Such participation is contingent on the fundamental principle of respect for the Constitution and the National Accord Document along with their relevant interpretation on real and legal grounds rather than based on political, confessional, sectarian or vested interests. As much as it is keen on protecting the Lebanese diversity and specificity, the Lebanese State, represented by its various institutions, is committed, above all, to preserving the Lebanese entity and people; thus, no project shall override that of a strong, capable and just state, which should be built with concerted efforts. Distinguished guests, In the midst of the challenges faced by our country, the implementation of Resolution 1701 and of the ceasefire agreement stands out as a pivotal issue that requires our attention and diligence. In fact, Lebanon cannot enjoy stability and prosperity in light of ongoing tensions along its southern border. Life cannot return to normal in affected areas without the implementation of international resolutions that guarantee Lebanon's sovereignty, security and stability, as well as the withdrawal of the occupier from our land and the repatriation of the prisoners longing for their homeland and their families. This will also call on the international community to live up to its responsibilities in fulfilling its guarantees and pledges, in addition to materializing and implementing its expressions of support for the Lebanese state. Reconstruction from wartime destruction calls for a diligent and sincere response by all of us, requires the state to step up its efforts at home and abroad, and necessitates a concerted effort, on the part of the civil society, brotherly and friendly actors, and the private sector to rebuild what was destroyed, heal the wounds of those affected, and open a new page in Lebanon's history. Honorable guests, Lebanon is facing significant and diverse challenges, but the Lebanese people's will of life is greater and stronger, for the sake of building a strong Lebanon that derives its strength from its state and institutions, a prosperous Lebanon that draws its prosperity from its economy and resources, a shining Lebanon that is inspired by its culture and civilization, a faithful Lebanon that embraces its identity and belonging, and an outward-looking Lebanon that is widely open to its Arab surroundings and to the world. In closing, I would like to express my gratitude to our host, His Eminence the Grand Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif Derian, for his kind invitation.
See - Sada Elbalad
01-03-2025
- General
- See - Sada Elbalad
Oh God, grant us blessings in Ramadan
Elham Aboul Fateh Happy returns. The month of mercy and forgiveness, the holy month of Ramadan, has begun with its Qur'an and its scents, carrying with it forgiveness, and a great reward for all who fasted and prayed sincerely. The holy month is carrying goodness and blessings, with its spiritual atmosphere that we expect from year to year, and for the second year in a row, we fast with our Christian brothers, we are fasting during Ramadan, and they are fasting during the Great Lent, in a beautiful scene that reflects love and national unity. In Ramadan, the family gathers around breakfast and suhoor table, and exchange congratulations, and all our focus becomes on food, drink, and tables filled with all pleasures and delights, and watching the drama and series that fill the screens, but Ramadan is not only the month of food, nor a season for series and drama, rather, it is a month of worship, contemplation and goodness. We should not be preoccupied with food and drama, and forget that it is an opportunity to review ourselves, rearrange our priorities, and get closer to God and our loved ones... an opportunity for obedience and worship. As I wrote in the last article, we must take into account our health, preserve it, and follow the instructions of doctors, so do not eat excessively, especially fatty foods and sweets full of sugar and butter. I hoped that the drama would take a national and Arab form, but as the viewer wants, the month of Ramadan is an opportunity to fast from everything that harms us, not only from food and drink, but from extravagance, anger, irritability and bad habits. Let's make it a month of goodness and real change. I wish that this year we will start a new page in our Ramadan habits, so that our only concern will not be eating and watching soap operas and dramas, but rather work, doing good, loving people, and maintaining family ties. Ramadan is not the month of food, nor the month of drama, it is the month of worship and work. Oh God, accept our fasting, have mercy on us, forgive us, bless our deeds, increase our livelihood, and remove our worries. Oh God, make me one of the happy ones and accept my good deeds, fasting, and prayers. Happy Ramadan.
