We are concluding Ramadan, a time of reflection for Muslims worldwide, and I have recently reflected on my own life.

When Ramadan began last month, my husband and I received the results of medical tests. The latest tests confirmed I remain cancer-free.

I found myself pondering Ramadan, the holiest time of the year. During the month, Muslims take no food or drink during daylight hours. This reminds them to observe the tenets of their religion with extra diligence. Ramadan ends with the wonderful celebration of Eid.

Muslims living in Western cultures often face suspicion and criticism because of the horrendous actions of a radical minority. The vast majority of Muslims do not support terrorism.

Islamic warriors are not so different from the militant believers in Christianity in Europe at the time of the Inquisition. Nor from the Puritans who escaped religious persecution in Europe only to punish those people in the New World who did not follow the strict view of religion.

When I was undergoing cancer treatment, I was a teacher at Lewiston High School. My students, many of whom were Muslim, were universally strongly supportive of me. Even the “toughest” of adolescent young men and women who had lived in war zones and witnessed horrors beyond my imagination contacted me to wish me well.

My family and I learned a lot from the kindness and compassion we received. There are deep reservoirs of goodness and generosity among people everywhere.

As Ramadan ends this week with the celebration of Eid, we extend our special thanks to all those who have shown us such incredible kindness. We hope that Muslims and others in Maine’s refugee community are able to look forward to a peaceful, bright future here.

Caroline Sample

Cumberland

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