Special Days and Doing Good

1Two festivals, one neighbourhood

At Christmas, Keza's family goes to church and then shares a meal with their neighbours, including Amina's family. A few months later, at the end of Ramadan, Amina's family invites Keza's family to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with them. "Your festival is our festival too," says Amina's mother.

2Special days of the week

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." (Exodus 20:8)

"O ye who believe! When the call is heard for the prayer of the day of congregation, haste unto remembrance of Allah and leave your trading. That is better for you if ye did but know." (Qur'an 62:9)

"The day of congregation" means Friday, the day Muslims pray together. "Haste" means hurry.

3Special times of the year

In Rwanda, Christmas, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are all public holidays, so the whole country can rest and celebrate together.

4Faith shows in good deeds

Christianity and Islam both teach that believing in God must be shown by doing good to others.

Christian teaching

"Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:12)

This is often called the Golden Rule: treat others the way you want to be treated. Jesus also taught that when we help people in need, it is as if we are helping him:

"for I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me." (Matthew 25:35–36)

"But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does," (Matthew 6:3)

Islamic teaching

"And feed with food the needy wretch, the orphan and the prisoner, for love of Him, (Saying): We feed you, for the sake of Allah only. We wish for no reward nor thanks from you;" (Qur'an 76:8–9)

"Therefor the orphan oppress not, Therefor the beggar drive not away," (Qur'an 93:9–10)

"Needy wretch" means a very poor person, and "oppress not" means do not treat them badly. Before the Eid al-Fitr prayer, Muslims give a gift of food or money to poor people, so that everyone can celebrate. At Eid al-Adha, meat is shared with the poor, relatives and neighbours.

Both faiths say the same thing: help people in need, and do it for God, not to be praised. You can do this every day: visit a sick classmate, help an elderly neighbour carry water, share your snack, or welcome a new pupil.

Try it yourself