89 - years, Catholic monk observes Ramadan in solidarity with the Moroccans

By Youssef Sourgo

Morocco world news

Casablanca, July 14, 2013

Since the beginning of this year and 10 years, Catholic Cistercian monks (English and Spanish), based in Midelt, a town at the centre of the Morocco, observed Ramadan with Moroccan Muslim fellow brotherhood and support.

Among them is the monk Jean-Pierre Schumacher, the last survivor of the carnage 1996 Tibhirine in Algeria, where the seven monks of the monastery of the Atlas of Tibhirine in Algeria, belonging to the Catholic order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists called), have been abducted and killed during the Algerian civil war.

Although that exempted from fasting because of his advanced age (age 89), monk Jean-Pierre Schumacher still insists on observation of Ramadan while eating less than usual.

Alongside his religious brothers, Jean-Pierre Schumacher seeking to show its solidarity with Moroccan Muslim compatriots, sharing their valuable efforts during the month Holy of Ramadan by abstaining from food and drinks too.

"Observe us Ramadan, do not convert ourselves, but to share the efforts of our Muslim brothers and to support them in their efforts," said father Flachaire, prior of the monastery of Midelt, according to the Leprogres.fr website.

"About Brother Jean-Pierre Schumacher," said Flachaire, "he continues to observe Ramadan despite his age through eating a little less than usual."

Jean-Pierre Schumacher and other monks arrived at the Morocco in 2000, ad moved to Midelt. His desire was to reconstruct the spirit of Tibhirine on Moroccan soil.