Ramadan should remind us of collective duty to others – Pres Ali

As Muslims prepare to embark on a month-long fast, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali says that this holy month of Ramadan should serve as a reminder to people of their collective duty to others.

The Head of State made this remark on Thursday evening at the launch of the second annual National Ramadan Village, held on the lawns of the Muslim Youth Organisation of Guyana (MYO) on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.
Ramadan, which commences on Saturday or Sunday, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon, is the holy month of fasting, whereby Muslims do not eat or drink anything from dawn to sunset. They believe this sacrifice allows them to be closer to Allah, or God.
During his address, the Head of State reminded his fellow Muslims of the importance of humanitarian duties towards each other.
“In this very complicated environment and very complex global environment, this Ramadan should remind us of our duties individually and collectively. Our individual duty to each other in the human family and our collective duty as a people towards other people, our collective duty towards every community, our collective duty as we live in the family of humanity.
“The holy month of Ramadan will be upon us once again… [and] we are reminded that the holy month of Ramadan brings with it the blessings of mercy, forgiveness and spiritual renewal. But how can we achieve spiritual renewal, how can we achieve forgiveness and mercy if we are not merciful to each other… You cannot inherit that if you are holding or harbouring ill-thoughts about each other, if you are harbouring ill-feelings about your fellow human beings,” he expressed.
Citing the Quran – Islam’s holy book, President Ali noted that Muslims should conduct their affairs in a manner that the peace, tolerance and compassion that the religion teaches could be understood. He noted that Islam’s “great instruction” to not forget neighbours is without any discrimination.
“The instruction, and all the [other religions’ texts] did not say love only your neighbour of a certain type, or do not forget your neighbour only if they are of a certain type. No! If we are to love our neighbours, if we are to respect our neighbours, if we are to honour our neighbours – and neighbours in this context is countries besides each other, neighbours besides each other – oh, what a different world it would be.”
He further cited verses in the Holy Quran, including those that state that Islam not only respects other religions and acknowledges their right, but also prohibits any contempt towards them.
According to the Guyanese leader, maybe Guyana was given a “glorious opportunity” to show to the world how the teachings of the Holy Quran and other religious texts have shaped its people as part of the human family, and to be a great example of what humanity should be.
“We as a nation and a people, as different as we are, are placed here for a specific purpose, and just maybe that purpose is to demonstrate to a very conflicted world, to a very confrontational world, what harmony, peace and living together feels like and look like,” he added.
The National Ramadan Village is a collaboration between the Guyana Government; Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG); the Guyana Islamic Trust (GIT) and the MYO. This initiative is a brainchild of President Ali, with the first edition successfully held in 2024.
Its establishment provides an opportunity for Guyanese to experience the spiritual ambience of Ramadan, and for families to gather and share with others for the breaking of the fast.
The Village would facilitate prayers, reflection and education on all weekends – Fridays-Sundays from 16:00h-22:00h (4:00pm to 10:00pm) – during Ramadan.
In order to facilitate the participation of brothers and sisters from the Diaspora, arrangements have been made, through the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), for a special Islamic Heritage Tour – Discovering Islamic Culture and Religion — of the National Ramadan Village.
Laylat-ul-Qadr, referred to as the Night of Power, which generally occurs on the 27th night of Ramadan, would also be observed at the National Ramadan Village.
During the evenings when the Village is open, presentations would be delivered by learned Islamic scholars in an effort to enlighten all on the virtues of Islam and Ramadan through various topics, including the important role of women, women empowerment, and youth.
This would allow for the teachings of Islam and Ramadan to reach beyond the mosques.
In addition, the Maghrib and Isha Salat (evening and night prayers), along with Taraweeh (prayers specific to the holy month of Ramadan), will be offered and led by learned Imams.
The National Ramadan Village, with its magnificent Islamic-themed design and the relevant components of its grand setting, would again present a glorious sight.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting, prayers, reflection, and community. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and lasts 29 to 30 days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.