Imbibe spirit of Ramadan, says King Abdullah

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah

By P.K. ABDUL GHAFOUR | ARAB NEWS

JEDDAH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah urged Muslims on Tuesday to compete with one another in righteous deeds and work to alleviate the pain and suffering of the poor and needy, inspired by the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan.

“This blessed month has taught us many lessons. We have to contemplate them to learn how people should be compassionate to their fellow beings, how the rich feel the suffering of the poor, and how Muslims compete with one another to win the pleasure of God,” the king said in his Ramadan message. In their joint message to Saudis on the advent of Ramadan, King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, also urged Muslims to imbibe the true spirit of Islam, which is a religion of love, mercy and tolerance and promotes goodness, reform and dialogue.

The Royal Court announced on Tuesday that the fasting month would start in the Kingdom on Wednesday (Aug. 11), after several people sighted the Ramadan crescent in different parts of the country.

In their message, the king and crown prince called upon Muslims to participate actively in the creation of a human civilization. In this respect, the message referred to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to promote dialogue with followers of other religious faiths and cultures.

“Our interfaith dialogue initiative was aimed at building a civilized world bringing people closer in order to work for establishing peace and justice and enhancing the welfare of the whole humanity,” said the message that was read out on Saudi Television by Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja.

King Abdullah and Prince Sultan highlighted the significance of Ramadan being the month in which the first verses of the Holy Qur’an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as guidance to mankind and a criterion to differentiate between right and wrong. “Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward from God will have his past sins forgiven,” they said quoting a saying of the Prophet.

They also emphasized the role of Ramadan in deepening the qualities of kindness, forgiveness, mercy and showing sympathy to those who are less well off. “It revitalizes the high values that our religion has taught us,” the message said. “It’s a month when the doors of the Heaven will be kept open and of Hell remain locked.”

King Abdullah and Prince Sultan, meanwhile, sent cables of Ramadan greetings to heads of Muslim states.

Comments

SALEEM

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Ramadhan karim to King Abdullah and Prince Sultan. May Allah(swat) bless them for their hard work over the year in making world a peaceful place, especially their generosity that they have shown in helping the people in need ...ameen.

MALLIKA

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Ramadan Mubarek to All. We are the most blessed with Eman in our Hearts. Eman is a blessing.It is a way of life.May Allah strenghten our Eman,guide us and gaurd us and help us to do what pleases Him Ameen. All our Muslim Leaders' are the touch bearers of Islam and May Allah make them good leaders and lead us all .With duaS.REMEMBER THE UMMAH IN ALL OUR DUAS.

HERU YUDIANTO

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We are also from me and all muslim from Indonesia said Ramadhan Karim and Please try the best for this ramadhan maybe the next ramadhan we will not meet again anymore. Hopefully all our fasting, our sholat will be accepted by Alloh subhanahuwata'ala. Amiinn.....

BUKAR KIME YOBE NIGERIA

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King Abdullah may Allah reward you for all your efforts in uniting the Muslims and your service to Islam.
May Allah grant you aljannat firdousi'' for all these effors.

ABU NASSAR

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Allah (swt) has blessed Saudi Arabia with the country that recieved the first revelation AL- QURAN, WEALTH and OIL and still our nieghboring countries cry for help (eg: Palestine, Afghanistan etc..) even still people within Saudi itself are still begging for money, when will our leaders say enough in enough! Will we ever see a leader himself walking the streets and feeding the poor or cleaning the old people house just like Abu Bakr As-Siddiq? Jazekallhukhier to King Abdullah, maybe he is doing his best. May Allah bless Arabia and most importantly UNITE them all.
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