On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa I would like to wish
all the Muslims in our country strength and health over the holy period of
Ramadan.
The Month of Ramadan is also known as the Month of Patience as it is a month
of sacrifice, reflection and contemplation.
The fast itself reminds us of those who go to bed hungry every day of their
lives. It reminds us to be compassionate to those who are less fortunate than
ourselves. It reminds us to strengthen our resolve to fight hunger and
poverty.
And it reminds us to strengthen our bonds of unity and family and community
ties in a multi-faith South Africa where we enshrine the virtues of respect,
tolerance, peaceful coexistence and mutual caring.
Fasting is one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam, and along with Zakat
(almsgiving), demonstrates the enormous contribution both Islam and those who
practise it can make to creating a better life, and a more prosperous life for
all who live in our country.
Let us use Zakat as an additional and an important means of wealth
distribution in our country.
Let us all in the Month of Ramadan reflect on how we can, in these difficult
times, make meaningful contributions to poverty eradication and to finding a
lasting peace in the Middle East which are two of the most important challenges
we face globally.
Ramadan Mubarak.
TM Mbeki
President of the Republic of South Africa
Enquiries: David Hlabane
Cell: 082 561 9428.
Issued by: The Presidency
22 September 2006
