Zuma wishes Muslims well over Ramadan

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has wished Muslims well over Ramadan, as today marks the start of the holy month in Islamic faith.

"On behalf of the government and people of South Africa, we wish the Muslim community well over the fast. As South Africans, we can be mindful of the needs of Muslims in our workplaces, our homes and in our relations with them," said Zuma.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and is a time of fasting and prayer.
Members of the Muslim community desist from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset.

Ramadan is also a time when the Muslim community reaches out to the poor and lends them a helping hand.

"These are lessons all South Africans can learn from and emulate. It is in recognising our diversity that our strength as a country lies," said Zuma.