THE Muslim Youth League of Guyana has joined in extending warm greetings on the holy month of Ramadhan to its Muslim brothers and sisters.

“The Muslim community in Guyana joins Muslims around the world in beginning the month-long fast and other acts of devotion of Ramadan. This is the month on the lunar Islamic calendar in which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from the break of dawn to sunset,” it explained in its Ramadan message.

“The fast is performed for no other reason than to learn discipline, self-restraint and generosity, while obeying God’s commandments. As God Almighty has granted us His Divine Mercy in sparing our lives to see yet another Ramadan, let us not waste the golden opportunity and use this month to the fullest, in order to achieve maximum benefits,” it said.

The message urged, “We must observe the fast and other religious activities in this month, with utmost sincerity, so that we can achieve success in this life and the hereafter.”

Islam is one of the world’s most prominent religions and a source of profound strength and guidance for over a billion Muslims worldwide, the Muslim Youth League said.

“Muslims look forward to Ramadan as a period of spiritual reflection and renewal. It is also a time when people of other faiths can learn more about Islam, the great benefits that it offers to mankind and the enormous contributions made by Muslims to human civilization,” it said.

It went on, “It firmly upholds the principle of respect for all human beings and all religions. Sadly, in many countries, Muslims and other believers are unable to perform their religious beliefs. We pray for the day when the people of all faiths can express their beliefs without fear of persecution or discrimination.”

“Ramadan, each year, brings a promise of renewal and hope for the world. This year, that promise is so important to our nation and the world, and as we greet the new moon for Ramadan, we pray that we will usher in a new era of tolerance, respect and cooperation,” the release said.

“As we focus this year on self-restraint, prayers and acts of charity to achieve self-reform, these acts must be taken to the wider community. We cannot totally reform ourselves without reforming the communities we live in. This is the month when we must dispense with all anger, arrogance and hatred, while at the same time cultivating love, friendship, humility, patience and tolerance. This will give us ever-lasting peace, but peace must never be held ransom to justice nor justice held ransom to peace,” the organisation said.

“The Muslim Youth League of Guyana urges our Muslims to use this month to build bridges and not walls, so that with unity of purpose, we can cause growth and development of Islam and our country. We call on our political leaders of this country to let the ideals of Ramadan fill your hearts so that we can return our country to one free from fear and crime. May this Holy Month of Ramadan be rewarding to our entire nation,” it said.