Eid Message from Chair of EMLD
July 25, 2012 5:00 PM
By Issan Ghazni
By Issan Ghazni
Ramadan Mubarak
Greetings to all Muslims as we enter this holy month of Ramadan.
The recent rise of Islamaphobia has created many challenges for Britain's Muslim communities which most people in society have not yet fully appreciated. Post 9/11, there has been a growing feeling of alienation with a perception perpetuated often by the press and wider media of 'them and us'. This has led in some quarters within local Muslim communities to an almost siege like mentality in response to over-scrutiny by wider society in times of change and secularisation. Therefore, maintaining the sacred duties of Islam under the present circumstances has become more important than ever to Muslims.
Ramadan is the key month in the Islamic calendar for Muslims to enrich life through prayer and fasting. The observation of the holy days during Ramadan for Muslims is significant because prayer and fasting during this time brings them closer to God and closer to finding the meaning of life.
Throughout the Holy Days of Ramadan, Muslims pray and fast and seek forgiveness from God for their conformity to worldliness, accumulation of material possessions and superficiality instead of holiness. Muslims use the time to pray, fast and to reflect on the actions which have distanced them from God. Ramadan is the period in which Muslims strive for perfection, to purge themselves from sin while experiencing tests in life and becoming one with God.
EMLD wants to use this message to show support and solidarity to all Muslim communities everywhere during this very important month. We also want to show our respect and regard for all people of faith and of none, for their beliefs and spiritual practices. We can no longer afford to view communities as separate from the whole - it is in valuing diversity in society that we realise our humanity in practice.