FOR Guyanese Muslims Ramadan is a welcomed month, in which thirty days is spent in fasting from early morn to the setting of the sum. The nights are spent in prayers in congregation in the Mosques throughout Guyana. The breaking of the fast at sunset is a communal affair, and brothers and sisters of all races, culture and creed gather to share in the evening meal.

The Month of Ramadan is known as the Month of the Holy Quran, when God Almighty revealed the text upon His Beloved Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings unto Him. The Holy Quran encompasses the laws and rules that governs the lives of Muslims. Moreover, Ramadan is a month in which Muslims use to elevate themselves, in the practice of patience, piety, discipline and charity. It is intended that these virtues obtained, will be practiced and observed for the other months of the year.
Ramadan is a month in which Muslims take stock of their earnings and assets, and subscribe to the payment of their dues as Zaakat. This is distributed to the poor and needy of the society not only to improve the quality of their lives, but to have the effect of giving assistance that can later contribute to self-sustainability.
The Month of Ramadan ends with the sighting of the new moon, and a day of Eid celebration for one’s dedication to the will of God, submission and elevation of a spiritual nature of the soul.

RAMADAN MESSAGE FROM THE ANNA CATHERINA ISLAMIC COMPLEX
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, which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from the break of dawn to sunset. 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. 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. 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 civilisation. 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.  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 where 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 Anna Catherina Islamic Complex 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, corruption, immorality and crime. May this Holy Month of Ramadan be rewarding to our entire nation.

RAMADAN KAREEM MESSAGE FROM THE GUSIA
THE Executive of the Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman (GUSIA) and the Board of the Shaheed Boys & Girls Orphanages take the opportunity to extend to our Muslim Community warm greetings for the month of Ramadan-ul-Kareem.
This month, which is a special gift to the Muslim nation, came as a result of Allah’s great love for the Prophet of Islam and is an opportunity for Muslims to harness the great benefits that this month contains. The observance of this month will fill the Muslim’s heart with peace, love and tranquility and inculcates qualities that are associated with great character.

Generations of nations are blessed by this month and its great boons. This is a month where we are forcibly brought to be a part of the plight of our poor Muslim brothers and sisters in the compulsory act of giving charity. This is not to make us poorer (by giving a part of our wealth away) but is in fact to make us much richer in this life and the hereafter.

In this age of political instability, ethnic and racial violence, greed, materialism and uncertainties, this month is a welcome gift to the world. We need to extract the ingredients of nation building, religious and spiritual codes and appropriate moral, social and economic disciplines to establish strong progressive nations populated with citizens who are cognisant of their duty first to God, the Creator and to fellow occupants of this earth.

We join with Muslims throughout the world in the observance of this great month and to ask that we do not forget the great rewards in helping our orphans. The Shaheed Boys and Girls Orphanages have stood as the beacon of providing for the orphans in our community and as the only bone fide institution for the care of orphans in the Muslim community.

We encourage you to support it with your charity. We attach our financial statement for the last year.

RAMADHAN MESSAGE FROM THE IAC
ON the beginning of the month of Ramadhan, the Indian Arrival Committee of Guyana (IAC) extends Ramadhan Mubarak to all Guyanese especially the Muslim Community.

The IAC urged that the true observances of the month of Ramadhan reflect the manner that the month of Ramadhan brings with it: a month that teaches self-discipline, seek restraint and that being generous to the less fortunate while obeying God’s Commandments.

This is a month that offers great spiritual virtues and blessings and teaches respect for all of God’s creation and religions.

The IAC calls on all our political leaders to use the ideals and lessons of this month to build bridges and not walls, that our country would be one free of fear and instability.

Once again Ramadhan Kareem to all Muslim brothers and sisters from one IAC; promoting our festivals, arts, cultures and religion!