Assalam O Alikum, and RAMADAN MUBARAK, in this Holy Month. A time for Fasting, Families and Celebration. May Peace, Blessings and Mercy be with each of You, and ALL of us, especially at this Holy Month Ramadan and the following days. Insha Allah. Ameen. Allah O Akbar.
RAMADAN started on March 11, 2024, to April 9, 2024, depending on the appearance of the crescent moon. It is the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic, Hijri calendar. It is also believed to be the month the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). The QURAN actively encourages its followers to live in peace with those of other faiths. Similarly, the HADITH, a collection of sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, (PBUH), calls for love and understanding towards other religions. ISLAM IS A WAY OF LIFE. Found from my 4 years Tenure, that they are 3 Keys in Islamic culture, Relationships, Patience (Sabr) and Respect which takes many years to earn, cultivate and bear fruits.
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was both a Prophet of Allah and a Statesman. His leadership was most comprehensive, compassionate, and dynamic. He was the paragon of virtue and spirituality. He was a noble and compassionate teacher, guide, and reformer. He was a family man and was also a political leader.
RAMADAN fasting for 30 or 31 days is EASY for BELIEVERS with Allah’s Blessings. Islam is the world’s second most widely practiced religion. It is also one of the fastest growing religions and today, with approximately 2 billion followers. This religion is based on the Quran, a religious text that followers of Islam believe is the direct word of God. Under Islam, Muhammad (PBUH) is considered the last Prophet of God, and many believers adhere to his teachings. Followers of Islam are called Muslims. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the holy month of fasting. It begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon. Because the Muslim calendar year is shorter than the Gregorian calendar year, Ramadan begins 10–12 days earlier each year, allowing it to fall in every season throughout a 33-year cycle.
Islamic tradition states that it was during Ramadan, on the “Night of Power” (Laylat al-Qadr)—commemorated on one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, usually the 27th night—that God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad the QURAN, Islam’s holy book, “as a guidance for the people.” For Muslims, Ramadan is a period of introspection, communal prayer (ṣalāt) in the Masjid, and reading of the Quran. God forgives the past sins of those who observe the holy month with fasting, prayer, and faithful intention.
World Population is approximately 8 Billion with 67 Million increase per year. Christianity is the World’s FIRST LARGEST and most widely practiced religion with 2 Billion followers.
Current estimates conclude that the number of Muslims in the world is around 1.8 BILLION the SECOND LARGEST RELIGION IN THE WORLD. Muslims are the majority in 49 countries, they speak hundreds of languages and come from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Muslims believe that Jesus Christ (called “Isa” in Arabic) was a Prophet of God and was born to a Virgin (Mary) and Muslims also believe, Jesus Christ, Isa, will return to Earth before the Day of Judgment. In Islam Jesus Christ is the Son of Maryam and is the Penultimate Prophet and Messenger. In the Quran, Jesus is described as the Messiah (al-Masīḥ), born of a Virgin, performing miracles, accompanied by disciples, rejected by the Jewish establishment, and being raised to heaven.
Approximately 1 BILLION in GLOBAL followers, HINDUISM is the THIRD LARGEST RELIGION in the WORLD. Though more than 90 percent of Hindus live on the Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan), the Hindu DIASPORA’s impact can still be felt today
The FIVE core values are known as the Pillars of Islam, and they are:
Shahada: FAITH
This is the first and arguably most important pillar because it is when a person declares belief in the one true God, Allah (SWT).
Salat: PRAYER
Those who follow Islam must make every effort to pray five times every day to cement dedication to Allah (SWT) and strengthen their bond with Allah.
Zakat: CHARITY
One of Allah’s (SWT) key teachings is that Muslims must give charity to those less fortunate, known as Zakat which is 2.5 % of NET WEALTH, is the Obligation.
Sawm: FASTING
Ramadan is observed by Muslims to target this pillar. Ramadan is mandatory for all Muslims in good health.
Hajj: PILGRIMAGE to MECCA, Saudi Arabia
All able-bodied Muslims are expected to make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the location where the first words of Allah (SWT) were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
In addition to not eating between sunrise and sunset, Muslims must also refrain from all impure thoughts and activities, including swearing, gossiping, arguing, fighting and sexual contact. It is also a requirement that all Muslims with food in excess of their means make a charitable payment called Fitrana (Charitable donation of food BEFORE EID PRAYER, at end of Ramadan). This dates to the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), right at the start of the history of Ramadan, with those who had food beyond their means, donating food. In modern times, most Muslims pay their Fitrana as a monetary donation to a charity, which then uses the money to distribute food for the hungry. In many countries Iftar, the fast-breaking meal is provided by one or more members, for the Ramadan observers and the poor.
Ramadan Customs
It is traditional for Muslims to break their fast for their Suhoor (predawn meal) , Iftar (meal after sunset during Ramadan) and Eid ul-Fitr (end of Ramadan) celebrations by eating dates. This is a custom that goes back to the very first observance of Ramadan, as it is said that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ate dates before he broke his fast. Though it is a custom, it is not a requirement, but this is the practice in the 57 OIC and IsDB Countries.
Top 10 Countries with the Largest Number of Muslims (2021):
Indonesia (231,000,000); Pakistan (212,300,000); India (200,000,000); Bangladesh (153,700,000); Nigeria (95,000,000–103,000,000); Egypt (85,000,000–90,000,000);
Iran (82,500,000); Turkey (74,432,725); Algeria (41,240,913) and Sudan (39,585,777)
Top 10 Countries with the Highest Percentage of Muslims (2021):
Maldives (100%); Mauritania (99.9%); Somalia (99.8% – tie); Tunisia (99.8% – tie); Afghanistan (99.7% – tie); Algeria (99.7% – tie); Iran (99.4%); Yemen (99.2%); Morocco (99%) and Niger (98.3%). Was my Honor to Visit and Pray in Maldives, Tunisia, and Morocco.
and World Peace at Al-Masjid an-Nabawī, Masjid of the Prophet known as the “Prophet’s Masjid” in Medina, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Assuring You of my Highest Consideration
Sincerely
Dr. Shamir Andrew Ally
Former Ambassador to Kuwait, 2016-2020
Former FIRST Alternate Governor, Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 2017-2020
Former Deputy Chairman, GO-Invest , 2016-2019
Mobile/WhatsApp 1.484.347.0422
