Global Ramadan Messages from All Continents
Dr Mozammel Haque
Islam is a universal global religion. There is 1.6
billion Muslims the world over. Leaders of the Asian, African, European and
American continents welcome the advent of the month of Ramadan and sent
messages to the Muslims. The 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
(OIC) welcomed the beginning of Ramadan. On this auspicious occasion, the
Secretary General of the OIC issued a welcoming message.
Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hissein Brahim Taha, extended warm congratulations and felicitations to the Muslim Ummah on the advent of the blessed month of Ramadan 1445AH.
He congratulated the OIC host country, the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and
the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohamed Bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al
Saud and all leaders of the OIC Member States and the entire Muslims othe an
the occasion of the month of goodness and blessings.
Taha prayed to Almighty Allah to send forth His
blessings and security on the Muslim Ummah, in this generous month, leading to
the end of crises and conflicts in the length and breadth of the Muslim world,
reads a OIC press statement.
The Secretary-General highlighted the OIC’s grave
concern as it diligently follows the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza
Strip languishing under starvation, blockade, and bombardment by Israeli
occupation forces, making the current conditions difficult for women, children,
and the elderly.
The Secretary-General expressed his wish that Allah
would grant victory and support to the Palestinian people and liberate the
Al-Aqsa Mosque from the Clutches of Israeli occupation; that He would make
Ramadan a definitive turning point bringing hope for a ceasefire and ending all
the war against the Palestinian people; and that He would return stability to
Sudan and let security and harmony spread in the Muslim communities in non-OIC
Member States, thus contributing to strengthening and deepening societal peace
and international security.
The Secretary-General emphasized that, in addition
to being the month of fasting and night prayers for the entire Muslims, Ramadan
is also an opportunity to practice values of goodness, mercy, and mutual
support, nurturing the soul and spreading the spirit of peace. He urged that
hands of support should be lent to the needy and those in difficult conditions
in refugee and displacement camps.
RAMADAN MESSAGES FROM ALL GOVERNMENTS
From Asian Continent
King Salman’s Ramadan Message
Jeddah-based English daily Saudi Gazette reported the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Ramadan address as follows:
“Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
King Salman greeted the people of Saudi Arabia and Muslims all over the world
on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, which begins on Monday.
King Salman urged the international
community to assume its responsibilities to stop the brutal crimes against
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and provide safe corridors for humanitarian and
relief aid. “It pains us that the month of Ramadan falls this year at a time
when our brothers in Palestine are reeling under (Israeli) aggression. Hence,
we underline the need for the international community to assume its responsibilities
to stop these brutal crimes, and provide safe humanitarian and relief
corridors,” he said.
In an address to the Saudi citizens
and expatriates as well as Muslims around the world, delivered on his behalf by
Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosary marking the occasion of the blessed month,
the King asked God Almighty to bring goodness and peace to the Islamic Ummah
and the entire world in this holy month, and to bestow continuous security,
safety and prosperity for Saudi Arabia and to accept fasting and prayers from
all Muslims, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In the address, the King said: “We
congratulate you on the advent of the blessed month of Ramadan, and we thank
God that we have reached the month of mercy, forgiveness, and liberation from
Hellfire. We ask God to make us and you among those who fast and pray during
Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward.”
King Salman thanked God Almighty for
making the Kingdom the cradle of Islam, wherefrom the message of Islam
emanated. The Monarch thanked Allah for enabling the Kingdom to serve the Two
Holy Mosques and those visiting them, including the Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and
worshipers, and providing them with the best services.
“The God has honored the Kingdom by enabling it to serve the Holy Sites and
develop the Two Holy Mosques and carrying out their ongoing expansion projects;
It is a source of pride and prestige for the Kingdom’s leadership and people,
and it is what its kings have followed since its unification at the hands of
King Abdulaziz until this day, based on its pioneering role in serving Islam
and Muslims,” he said.
King Salman bin Abdulaziz also
congratulated the Kingdom’s brave soldiers stationed on its borders as well as
members of all military and security sectors, and all workers in the state
sectors who are dedicated to serving their country, praying to God to bestow
them with the best reward.” (reported in Saudi
Gazette)
From European Continent
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s
Ramadan Message
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak congratulates Muslims on the occasion of the Holy Month of Ramadan.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak extended his
congratulations to Muslims today on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan,
offering wishes of "Ramadan
Mubarak" to everyone. Reported
by SPA on March 11, 2024, SPA, London.
From American Continent
U.S. President Joseph R. Biden’s Ramadan
Message to Muslims
U.S. President Joseph R. Biden has
issued a statement on Ramadan on 10 March 2024 on behalf of the American
people, “I would like to wish all Muslims a joyful Ramadan.” Followings are the statement on Ramadan by the U.S. President Joseph R. Biden. He said:
“Tonight—as the new crescent moon marks the
beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramzan —Jill and I extend our best
wishes and prayers to Muslims across our country and around the world,"
Biden wrote in the statement on Sunday.
“The sacred month is a time for reflection and
renewal. This year, it comes at a moment of immense pain. The war in Gaza has
inflicted terrible suffering on the Palestinian people," he added.
"It is front of mind for
me," said the US president.
Some of the Palestinians killed in
Gaza “are family members of American Muslims, who are deeply grieving their
lost loved ones today," Biden said.
He also said that nearly 2 million
Palestinians are estimated to be displaced and in need of food, water, medicine
and shelter.
“While we get more life-saving aid to
Gaza, the United States will continue working non-stop to establish an
immediate and sustained ceasefire for at least six weeks as part of a deal that
releases hostages.
"And we will continue building
toward a long-term future of stability, security, and peace. That includes a
two-state solution to ensure Palestinians and Israelis share equal measures of
freedom, dignity, security, and prosperity. That is the only path toward an
enduring peace," Biden said.
The US will continue to lead
international efforts to get more humanitarian assistance into Gaza by land,
air, and sea, he said.
“Earlier this week, I directed our
military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier on the
coast of Gaza that can receive large shipments of aid. We are carrying out
airdrops of aid, in coordination with our international partners, including
Jordan. And we’ll continue to work with Israel to expand deliveries by land,
insisting that it facilitate more routes and open more crossings to get more
aid to more people," Biden said.
Biden noted that in the US they have
seen an "appalling resurgence" of hate and violence towards Muslim
Americans.
Islamophobia has absolutely no place
in the United States, a country founded on freedom of worship and built on the
contributions of immigrants, including Muslim immigrants, Biden said.
“My administration is developing the
first-ever National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Related Forms of Bias
and Discrimination, to take on hate against Muslims, Sikhs, South Asians, and
Arab American communities, wherever it occurs. No one should ever fear being
targeted at school, at work, on the street, or in their community because of
their background or beliefs," he said.
“To Muslims across our country,
please know that you are deeply valued members of our American family. To those
who are grieving during this time of war, I hear you, I see you, and I pray you
find solace in your faith, family, and community. And to all who are marking
the beginning of Ramzan tonight, I wish you a safe, healthy, and blessed month.
Ramzan kareem," Biden said.
Canada on Ramadan
The Prime
Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, issued on 10 March 2024 from Ottawa,
Ontario, the following statement on Ramadan: “Tonight at sunset, Muslim
communities in Canada and around the world will mark the start of Ramadan.”
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today
issued the following statement on Ramadan:
“Tonight, at sundown, Muslim communities in
Canada and around the world will mark the beginning of Ramadan.
“Over the coming weeks, family and friends
will come together to pray and give back to others through kindness and
generosity. At sundown, they will gather for iftar – the traditional meal
shared after a long day of fasting. No matter where it’s observed, Ramadan
provides an opportunity to honour the values of compassion, gratitude, and
family.
“For all of us, this is also an opportunity
to recognize the invaluable contributions that Muslim Canadians have made – and
continue to make – to our country. Nearly 1.8 million Muslims call Canada
home, and our country is more prosperous because of them.
“This year, the sacred month comes at a
particularly challenging time, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to
unfold. Canada reaffirms our call for a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza and the safe,
unimpeded access to humanitarian relief for civilians.
“As Muslim communities observe Ramadan with
kindness and compassion, we are reminded of our collective duty to stand
against Islamophobia, racism, and hate in all their forms, wherever and whenever
they occur.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I
wish Muslim communities across Canada a blessed and peaceful Ramadan.
“رمضان مبارك
“Ramadan
Mubarak.”
From the
African Continent:
Ramadan
Messages from Somalia
President of the Republic of Somalia Hassan
Sheikh Mohamud issued the following Ramadan messages. He said:
“As the holy month of Ramadan approaches,
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has extended his sincere greetings to every
Somali. The President prayed in his speech that everyone keeping the fast may
experience mercy, forgiveness, and spiritual rejuvenation throughout Ramadan.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stressed
the need of helping the weak and those in need within the Somali community as
Muslims begin this holy journey of fasting, prayer, and introspection. He
called on Somalis to be kind and giving to others, emulating the spirit of
camaraderie and solidarity throughout Ramadan.
The President's comments included;
“Strong social and religious links are
well-known in Somalia. May the lessons of Islam uplift us throughout the Holy
Month of Ramadan and revitalise our will to advance Somalia's national harmony,
peace, and reconciliation.
This year comes at a time Extremist groups
have lost large terrain and territory due to the brave efforts of Somali Soldiers,
leadership from clan Elders in denouncing groups and the governments operations
in combating illicit flows and strengthening intelligence collection.”
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also said,
“Ramadan will remind us of the correct Islam of Peace, Tolerance, Charity.”
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