Kamla extends Ramadan greetings

In a statement, she said, “The fast that you undertake now is a powerful sign of your commitment to your faith and of your obedience to Allah so that, as it says in the Qur’an (al-Baqara 183): “you may become more righteous,” and that “you may glorify God and be grateful” (Baqara 185).” She said, “Your fast expresses thirst and passion for a closer relationship with Allah SWT, for faith and forgiveness, for justice and peace.” During Ramadan, Muslims devote themselves to prayers, beyond the five daily prayer time, and the faith and devotion with which Muslims approach prayers, she said, are truly admirable.

“Fasting and the giving of alms are two main pillars of Islam, because they are signs of humility and righteousness.” Together with the Muslim community, Persad-Bissessar said, it was incumbent on all to join hands and hearts to build a world of peace and justice. With the breaking of the fast at the end of each day of Ramadan, she said, “you express our shared value of community, of gathering around a meal Iftar, a meal that is shared with all so that all might benefit from the bountiful goodness of Allah SWT.” She said, “We need to strengthen the conviction that we are one single human family.

There are no frontiers or barriers, political or social, behind which we can hide.” In addition to fasting, she said, many Muslims will fulfil the religious duty of Zakah, that is charity that is given for the care of the poor.

Noting that millions of people live in extreme poverty and hunger, she said, “Poverty is a human problem for which we share responsibility, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity and country of origin.

Fasting helps us to feel how millions feel all year round.” Ramadan reminds all to reflect on and appreciate their blessings and to put the needs of others before their own.

The government she led, she said, focussed on people-centered development to ensure a better quality of life for all citizens.