CIOG President urges unity, compassion and continued faith in Eid-ul-Fitr message

Eid Mubarak, Eid Mubarak, Eid Mubarak! On this joyous day of Eid-ul-Fitr, the executives and staff of CIOG join you in celebration.
Alhamdulillah, by the limitless mercy of Allah (SWT), we have been granted the honour of completing the blessed month of Ramadan – a month that trains the soul in patience, discipline, and devotion. Throughout this sacred journey, we increased our worship in both private and public, engaged in reflection and self-accountability, strengthened our spirit of charity and compassion, and sought to purify our hearts and character for the sake of Allah (SWT). Now, as we arrive at the end of this blessed month of fasting, we rejoice with grateful hearts, hoping to be among those whose efforts were accepted and who stand among the truly thankful servants of Allah.
Allah (SWT) reminds us in Surah Yunus (Jonah), Chapter 10, Verse 58 of the Holy Quran:
“In the grace of Allah (swt) and in His (swt) mercy, they should rejoice; it is better than
all [the worldly wealth] that they may amass!”
On this blessed day, the first of Shawwal and the day of Eid, we celebrate with gratitude the mercy and generosity of Allah (SWT). As we rejoice in the completion of Ramadan, we pause to reflect on the powerful lessons this sacred month leaves within our hearts. However, this Ramadan felt heavier for many of us – not due to the physical challenge of fasting, but because of the immense trials and suffering affecting our Ummah and humanity at large.
Our beloved Prophet, Rasulullah (peace and blessings be upon him), captured the spirit of this shared bond when he said:
“The believers, in their mutual love, mercy, and compassion, are like a single body; when one part of the body suffers, the rest of the body responds with sleeplessness and fever.”
This Ramadan was marked by profound sorrow as we witnessed the ongoing oppression and hardship endured by our brothers and sisters in Palestine, South Sudan, and other parts of the world. Our hearts felt the weight of their suffering. Yet even through these trials, they became a source of powerful inspiration. Their unshakeable Imaan (faith) and sincere Tawakkul (trust in Allah [SWT]) reminded us of the true meaning of patience, resilience, and reliance upon our Creator, Allah (SWT). May their example strengthen our own faith and motivate us to respond with both conviction and action. May Allah (SWT) alleviate their suffering, Ameen.
Emerging from Ramadan this year cannot be the same as before. The lessons we learned – both inside and outside the masjid – must translate into action. True gratitude is not merely spoken; it must be lived. The self-restraint and discipline we practised must extend beyond food and drink to all aspects of our lives.
We watched our Brothers and Sisters break their fast with a sip of precious water, while others remained in a state of perpetual fasting, without even a drop of water to break their fast. Even with their homes and places of worship reduced to rubble, they still hung lights and stood in prayer through the night. I ask, what is their source of strength? What we witnessed was the embodiment of a timeless supplication, the dua of our Father, Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him.
Ibn ‘Abbas, a prominent companion of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and scholar of Islam, said in a hadith: “When (Prophet) Ibrahim was thrown into the fire, he said, ‘Allah (Alone) is sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.’ So did the Final Messenger, Rasulullah (SAW), when he was told, ‘A great army … [has] gathered against him, so fear them.’ But this (warning) only increased him and the Muslims in faith, and they said, ‘Allah (Alone) is sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).’” [Al-Bukhari]
Our Brothers and Sisters invoked the prayer of the Prophets (peace be upon them) often with a smile.
Hasbunallu Wa Nia’ Mal Wakeel: “Allah (Alone) is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs (for us).”
This Ramadan has given us lessons that came through great sacrifice and reflection. Now it is upon us to carry these lessons beyond the Masjid and turn them into meaningful action. True belief is not limited to what we say; it must be visible in our deeds, our character, and the way we live. This has always been the legacy of Muslims throughout history. In a world often filled with hardship and despair, we must rise to our responsibility: upholding justice, supporting our Ummah, and bringing hope to those around us. Let each of us strive to be a light for others
As we celebrate this day of Eid, let us also remember those who continue to struggle – those facing illness, hunger, and unthinkable man-made hardships. Let us reach out to them with compassion and support, reminding them that Allah (SWT) is Most Merciful and that His blessings are vast.
Eid does not mark the end of our worship. Rather, it reminds us to carry forward the spiritual growth we cultivated in Ramadan so that each year we continue to draw closer to Allah (SWT), both as individuals and as a united community.
Let us reaffirm the significance of prayer. The strength of our community and the quality of our lives will only improve as more of us commit to the five daily prayers, the spiritual nourishment of the believers. Let us continue to fill the mosques as we did in Ramadan, setting aside all excuses and delays. This simple yet powerful act brings immense blessings and countless rewards. Allah (SWT) reminds us in the Holy Quran, Surah 2, verse 110:
“Be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity. Whatever good you send forth for your souls before you, you shall find it with Allah, for Allah sees well all that you do.” (Holy Quran Surah Al-Baqara 02:110)
Let us strive to cultivate harmony within our families, communities, and nation. I encourage you to welcome our non-Muslim brothers and sisters to partake in our Eid celebrations, fostering unity and understanding. It is our responsibility to embody and promote the core Islamic values of coexistence, tolerance, and khidma – selfless service to others. Let us extend our love and protection to all of Allah’s (SWT) creation.
May Allah (SWT) bless and have mercy on us all. May Allah (SWT) shower His mercy upon our nation and the entire world. We humbly beseech Allah (SWT) to accept our good deeds and forgive our shortcomings. Ameen.
May He grant us healing and peace. Ameen.
Al-Hajj Shahabudeen Ahmad
President of CIOG