-just abiding by the rules of the Qur-an
IN THIS the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar,  many Muslim organizations, especially the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG) and the Guyana Islamic Trust (GIT) may  have  no special plans for the holy month Ramadan,  but they do intend to abide by the rules of the Holy Qur-an.
Sha Amjad Hajj, CIOG Coordinator, says his organization would use the opportunity during this period to make special appearances at various Mosques across the country, and to participate in as many charitable events as they possibly can as their way of giving back to the community.
Amjad said his organization will have numerous feeding and fasting programmes countrywide, and that he hopes all his Muslim brothers and sisters will observe the month in sincerity.
Mr. Haseeb Yusuf, GIT leader, said that in this month, compulsory fasting is a well-established norm among Muslims, as it is God’s permanent miracle to mankind.
Yusuf said while his organization has many programmes planned for the period, that is nothing new, as this is something they have been doing over the years.
He said this being the 435th year that Ramadan would be celebrated, his organization intends to spend the period fasting and reciting from the Qur-an, since there are many Muslims from across the world here who are not only able to translate the Qur-an but are also verse at giving an in-depth meaning of the Holy Book as well.
He noted that fasting during Ramadan is not as easy as it sounds, as it entails not just keeping away from food for a whole month, but also maintaining a full-body fast, including keeping the eyes from lustful looking, the ears from gossiping, the limbs from hurting your fellow brothers and sisters and anything that can be considered a sin.
He said during this month, his organization will spend most of its time praying and engaging in charitable works, and that apart from the daily prayer sessions, GIT will be organizing with those Muslims brothers and sisters who would like to make contributions to any school, less fortunate children or the homeless and to give back to help them in whatever way they can.
Yusuf said the programme at reference can be considered as the Zakaah, whereby those Muslims that are well-off in the world find it in their hearts to give back to the community in order to receive a blessing.
He said it is on the day of Eid which they would be able to fully celebrate Ramadan and socialize, since this would be the last day of fasting.
Yusuf said that he hopes that through the act of fasting, prayers and giving to charity that everyone will develop a closeness to God and obey His commands.