Guterres hopes that the holy month inspires people to build more peaceful, generous and just world for all
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, US. PHOTO: REUTERS/ File
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on the international community to “bridge divides, deliver help and hope to those in need”, in a message ahead of the holy month of Ramazan.
In remarks delivered through his spokesperson at a briefing at UN Headquarters in New York on Friday, Guterres described Ramadan as a sacred period of reflection and prayer, “representing a noble vision of hope and peace”.
“Yet, for too many members of the human family, this vision remains distant,” he added.
Highlighting ongoing crises across several conflict-affected regions, he pointed to war-torn countries from Afghanistan to Yemen, and from Gaza to Sudan, saying “people continue to suffer from conflict, hunger, displacement and discrimination.”
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“In these difficult and divided times, the secretary-general calls on all to heed Ramazan’s enduring message, to bridge divides, deliver help and hope to those in need, and safeguard the rights and dignity of every person,” he added.
The UN chief also referred to his annual tradition of visiting Muslim communities during Ramazan and joining in the fast.
“Every year, I pay a special solidarity visit to a Muslim community and join in the fast. And every year, I come away heartened by Ramazan’s spirit of peace and compassion. May this holy month inspire us to work as one to build a more peaceful, generous and just world for all people,” he said.
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Ramazan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting from dawn to sunset, intensified prayer, charity and spiritual reflection. During the month, Muslims abstain from food and drink during daylight hours, gather for special nightly prayers known as Taraweeh, and increase acts of charity and community support.
In Pakistan, Ramazan is expected to begin around February 18 or 19, subject to confirmation by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee following the official moon sighting. The exact date will be announced after the testimonies of moon sighting are verified across the country.
