President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his warmest greetings to South Africa’s Muslim communities as the Holy Month of Ramadan begins this weekend.
During this month of worship and socializing, the President also advised communities to adopt Covid-19 safety precautions.
Ramaphosa’s Ramadan message
The Holy Month coincides with Freedom Month
“The Holy Month of Ramadan, the Fasting, and the social support and kindness shown by Muslims during this time is a vital element of our nation’s cultural and religious diversity,” President Ramaphosa remarked.
In 2022, we welcome the coincidence of Ramadan with Freedom Month.
“[Freedom Month] is a time when we commemorate and honor the countless individuals, organizations, movements, and associations who battled for our freedom today,” he continued.
Tribute to Shaykh Abdul Hamiet Gabier
The president also paid respect to Shaykh Abdul Hamiet Gabier, former Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Life President of the Muslim Judicial Council.
“Shaykh Gabier’s involvement in his immediate community and congregation, his role as a Call of Islam founder, and his participation to our battle through the United Democratic Front were all invaluable.
“He came from a long line of Muslims and Muslim leaders who saw opposition to apartheid as a fundamental requirement of faith.
“I pray that the Holy Month will be a time of peace, of closeness among families and neighbors, of sharing, and of all South Africans adopting and practicing the values that underpin the Christian faith.” said Ramaphosa.
Meaning of Ramadan
Ramadan is a Muslim holy month that commemorates a month of fasting with several benefits and rewards.
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan, literally means “heat that scorches the ground” or “heat that scorches a person who is fasting.”
However, because the moon was not visible in South Africa this year, the festival was delayed.
When is Ramadan?
The moon for the Islamic month of Ramadan 1443 has not been sighted in South Africa, according to the United Ulama (theologians) Council of South Africa (UUCSA).
Ml Ebrahim Bham, Secretary-General of Uucsa, verified that the moon was not visible in South Africa on Friday evening.
As a result, the first day of Ramadan will fall on Sunday, 3 April 2022, and Muslims all throughout South Africa will begin fasting on that day.
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