Ramadan Kareem

The holy month of Ramadan is here again - a period of sober reflection and self-evaluation for the Muslim Ummah. Muslims are obliged to shun all evil machinations and be more intense in prayers and good deeds. There is no period better than now to review the inter-connectedness of man to fellow man, especially as Ramadan is acknowledged as a period of physical and spiritual detoxification. Indeed, the Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) literally means "to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts and words.

Within the last one year, Nigeria has witnessed an unprecedented level of senseless violence, death and destruction. The efforts of religious and traditional leaders to douse the tension and stem the violence have so far not met with the desired success. While government has so far failed in its responsibility to secure the lives and property of its citizenry, the intelligentsia and political elite have also not succeeded in making a difference. Religion and ethnic bigotry are a combustible combination. In the midst of this blurring of values, the intellectually indolent have found succour in lazy generalisations. The period of Ramadan affords all Muslims the opportunity to reaffirm the core values preached by Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) to put a lie to the atrocities perpetrated by an ignorant, misguided, blood-thirsty group of faceless cowards in the name of Islam. Ramadan is a time of complete and absolute submission to Allah (SWT) as well as a season of absolute piety, atonement, forgiveness and peace. True Islam is a religion of peace and universal brotherhood. Muslims use this ninth and holiest month in the Islamic calendar to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance: making peace with those who had wronged them, strengthening ties with family and friends, doing away with bad habits of the flesh and generally cleaning up their lives. Through increased devotion, Muslims feel closer to Almighty Allah; through increased charity they develop the spirit of generosity and goodwill toward others, and through family and community gatherings, they strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood in their own communities and throughout the world. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once said, "A man's wealth is never diminished by charity."

The lessons of Ramadan ought to stay with us throughout the year. That is the true test of our adherence to its tenets. We call on all the different Islamic groups to come together now and address the many negative tendencies sprouting up in the name of Islam. There is no human problem that cannot be addressed in a civilised manner.

To all our Muslim brothers and sisters we say, "Marhabun ya Ramadan". May Almighty Allah accept their fasting, and guide us all to the straight path.