Fasting holds deep significance across many religions, promoting empathy, mutual respect, and understanding of different beliefs. These reflections by our director, Mayssoun Zein Al Din, followed a dinner hosted by Federal Minister Cem Özdemir at the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Berlin. In a world marked by geopolitical tensions and societal insecurity, fostering cohesion and building bridges between cultures is more important than ever.

The dinner brought together influential figures such as H.E. Dr. Faruk Ajeti (Kosovo), H.E. Fayiz Khouri (Jordan), Petra Bentkämper, Hasnain Kazim, Prof. Mouhanad Khorchide, Düzen Tekkal and others, emphasizing the need for dialogue across religious and cultural boundaries. This year, the fasting periods of the three Abrahamic religions—Ramadan, Lent, and Passover—overlap, creating a rare spiritual convergence that serves as a powerful reminder of our shared values. In a world deeply divided, this synchronicity highlights the universal human quest for reflection, discipline, and renewal.