Never did I imagine the response we would generate from our special September issue, “Sharing Ramadan.”

Dr. Mustafa Kaba Ameen wrote: “The comments from this publication and from the various Muslims was truly enlightening and spiritually rewarding.”

Walter Shamie picked up his copy, and had this to say: “This excellent piece of reporting should be put into a pamphlet form by community organizations concerned with the public image of Muslims and Islam, and then made available to libraries, schools, and religious entities.”

One of the most gratifying letters came from Judy Antoine: “I am not a Muslim. What brings me (to this issue) is that my daughter and son-in-law are converts to Islam. I am eager to learn more about this religion.”

That was the clincher. If we’re reaching out to non-Muslims, we think we’re doing our job because, we believe, a greater understanding leads to stronger communities. So, we decided to continue our Ramadan theme with this issue. We went out in the field, collecting “live” stories of sacrifice and celebration. They’re everyday Muslims performing extraordinary Ramadan rituals. They’re your neighbors. Like teenager Hassan Faraz, who stayed true to his faith and football despite the many challenges of the holy month. Or Lia Schaefer , who, like so many Muslim men and women, balance a challenging professional life with time for her family and community.

Every person offered some insight. Every person some wisdom drawn from their own experience.

In fact, if I had to pick one story that best captures the spirit of this project, Jack Seman (see story, Page 14) would be the winner. Jack is Catholic, but lives the spirit of Ramadan every day.

What is special about Jack is that he shares this charitable spirit with ducks too.

“I look at them as homeless and hungry,” he said. “If I can help someone, animal or human, I feel the best!”

One morning, when Jack was feeding some 400 ducks, I realized that he did have something to say about Ramadan, that Ramadan is about sharing, no matter your faith or ethnicity, or, in this case, your walk of life.

Enjoy this issue, and if you want to chime in with your own Ramadan story, please go to our Web site: www.ycvonline.com.

Thank-you for reading, and to our Muslim neighbors, Eid Mubarak!*