Ramadan Mubarak

“I say that we should regard all men as our brothers… Yes, without doubt; are we not all children of the same father and creatures of the same God?” ~ Voltaire

Assalamualaikum! I wish all my Muslim brothers and sisters a happy Ramadan, which began four days ago, May 17.

Fasting in the holy month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars upon which the “house” of Islam is built.It is the month in which we Muslims believe the Koran was revealed by archangel Gabriel (Jibreel) to the Prophet Muhammad, beginning with a simple word –“Iqra” [The first word revealed from Allah (SWT) upon the Prophet (SAW), which means “Read” or “Recite”]. It is therefore a time when Muslims reflect upon the wisdom and guidance that comes with faith and the responsibility that people have to one another and to God.

With the start of the sacred month of Ramadan, I express hope that the peace, humility, piety, forgiveness, unity and solidarity among Muslim communities would be further consolidated by adhering to Islamic teachings and guidelines of the Prophet Muhammad.

I expect my Muslim brothers and sisters to continue working closely for the sake of furthering and strengthening the unity, tolerance, ecumenism, pluralism, friendly relations and cooperation existing between Muslims, Christians and members of other religious denominations in our country.

The forces of extremism, violence, terrorism, kidnapping and senseless killings are diseases that not only threatens our community but are evils moving across our region. Only the correct application of the message of the Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet can raise the good image of Islam.

The holy month of Ramadan could play a prominent role in reforming and developing the soul and personality of the individual, which in turn positively affects the society as an integrated whole. It is on the bases of this reason that I hope the local Islamic extremist and terrorist groups or non-state armed groups [i.e., the residual armed factions of the MNLF, the lawless elements of the MILF, the militants members of the BIFF, the Al-Qaeda, Taliban and ISIS inspired followers of the Abu Sayyaf and Maute groups, the Jemaah Islamiyah, Rajah Sulaiman Movement, and the Khilafa Islamiya (KI)] will consider the real teachings of the Holy Prophet and his household – to embrace peace, tolerance, knowledge and dialogue and to use this sacred month as an opportunity to “de-radicalize” and refrain from all acts injurious to Islam, one`s self and fellow humans so we can all help build a virtuous, harmonious, peaceful and progressive society. In this regard, the Holy Qur`an states:

“Call unto the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair admonition, and dispute with them in the way which is fairest. Surely, your Lord is the knower of the ones who have erred away from His way, and He knows best those who follow the right way” Quran 16:125

My family and I join with the over 1billion Muslims around the world, their families and friends, in welcoming the beginning of Ramadan, and wishing all a blessed month. Yusuf Ashraf “Joey” Tugung 05/20/2018