Parliament and President Cyril Ramaphosa have extended their best wishes to Muslims across South Africa as they prepare to begin fasting for the holy month of Ramadan on Sunday, The Witness reports.

In a post on Parliament’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane conveyed their Ramadan message to the Muslim community.

“During this month, the Muslim community commemorates the revelation of the Qur’an by fasting, seeking to draw closer to God and expressing gratitude for their blessings while also showing compassion for those less fortunate,” the post read.

“Ramadan is a period of spiritual renewal and is a significant time of devotion, where individuals engage in special prayers and religious activities.

“It represents a sacred opportunity to support the poor and vulnerable in society,” the statement added.

Didiza and Mtsweni-Tsipane encouraged the Muslim community to pray for those struggling during the holy month.

“In light of the current socio-economic challenges facing South Africa and the globe, Parliament’s Presiding Officers encourage the Muslim community to use this Ramadan period for worship and to pray for all South Africans experiencing various hardships in their daily lives.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa also sent his well wishes in a press release, calling on all citizens to use the occasion to appreciate the country’s diversity.

“For our Muslim brethren here at home and around the world, this is a sacred time of reflection, prayer and performing acts of charity – values that unite us all,” Ramaphosa said.

“We are grateful to be a nation where many cultures and faiths co-exist in harmony – may this also be a time for outreach and building bridges of tolerance and understanding between our different communities.”

The president acknowledged the significance of fasting, prayers, and charity during Ramadan, highlighting their role in fostering empathy and generosity.

“As a country we laud these acts of compassion, empathy and generosity by the Muslim community, which are even more sorely needed in today’s troubled world,” he said.

Ramaphosa further noted that many Muslims globally would be unable to observe the holy month in peace due to conflict and hardship.

“Even as this is a time of fraternity and spiritual growth for Muslims, we are keenly aware that suffering peoples in Gaza, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and in the troubled Sahel region will experience little cheer this Ramadan,” he said.

“The president has reaffirmed the country’s solidarity with oppressed peoples everywhere, and a call for an end to intolerance, conflict and war,” the release said.

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