Africa-Press – South-Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa has conveyed his best wishes to the Muslim community ahead of the start of Ramadan on Sunday.
Ramaphosa said Ramadan, and the observance of the fast and the social support and charity demonstrated by Muslims during this period, was an integral part of the nation’s cultural and religious diversity.
“In 2022, we welcome the coincidence of Ramadan with Freedom Month, a period during which we remember and honour the many individuals, organisations, movements and associations who fought for us to be free today,” he said.
Ramaphosa paid special tribute to Sheikh Abdul Hamiet Gabier, Life President of the Muslim Judicial Council and former Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who died recently.
Gabier, 86, died last month after suffering from poor health. He was buried in the Mowbray Muslim Cemetery. Gabier served as the MJC chairperson and would later go on to serve on the MJC Senior Council (Imaarah), and as life president until his death.
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“Sheikh Gabier’s activism in his immediate community and congregation, his role as a founder of Call of Islam and his contribution to our struggle through the United Democratic Front were invaluable. He was a successor to a rich succession of Muslims and Muslim leaders who considered resistance to apartheid as a fundamental obligation of faith,” he said.
Ramaphosa added that he hoped Ramadan would be a period of peace, closeness among families and neighbours, a period of sharing.
“A period in which all South Africans will adopt and practice the values that underpin the Holy Month of Ramadan,” he said.
Ramadan is Islam’s holiest month.
The president urged communities to bear in mind Covid-19 safety measures as they worshipped and socialised during this month.
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