S. African Muslims Urged To Maintain Ramadan Spirit

Hundreds of thousands of Muslims in South Africa on Monday performed the prayers of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.



"Let's use the spiritual upliftment we got in the holy month of Ramadan to exercise brotherhood and unity amongst Muslims," Moulana Ebrahim Bham, Secretary-General of Jamiatul Ulama South Africa and Imam of the Newtown Mosque, told worshippers.



The Imam also urged Muslims to unite and consider each other as brothers regardless of their race and economic status.



"We should have compassion for the poor because Ramadan teaches us what the poor go through on a daily basis," he said, going on to pray for Muslims facing oppression, conflict and wars across the globe.



Elsewhere in Johannesburg, Muslims performed prayers at open grounds and parks that were filled with worshippers donning white attire.



"I feel delighted and thank Allah that I have completed my Ramadan in good health and pray He accepts my prayers," Mustafa Omar, a Sudanese national living in Johannesburg, told Anadolu Agency.



Several Muslims were seen hugging and wishing each other well at the end of the Eid Al-fitr prayers. Some were dressed in their traditional cultural clothes.



Beggars also lined up outside mosques and open grounds to ask for donations.



"Allahmdulilah (thanks God). Allah has enabled me and my family to successfully complete this holy month of Ramadan. May He accept our good deeds," Baasim Ahmed told AA outside an open ground where prayers were held in Mayfair.



Bakali Muhamadi from Malawi was equally excited for completing Ramadan.



"I wish I was at home in Lilongwe to celebrate Eid with my family. But its Allah's grace that I have performed my salah (prayers) here and will celebrate with my fellow Muslims in South Africa," the 34-year-old migrant truck driver told AA.



-Muslim joy-



Meanwhile, South African President Jacob Zuma wished all Muslims around the world a peaceful Eid-al-Fitr.



"It is a day of great joy for our Muslim compatriots as it marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan," Zuma said in a statement.



He said Ramandan was a period which demanded sacrifice, commitment, perseverance and discipline.



"It also nurtures a high sense of spirituality and generosity to those less fortunate," he said.



The head of state also said the charity that the Muslim community discharges during Ramadan was remarkable and benefited a large section of South Africa's underprivileged communities.



"Eid is also a day of peace and blessing. May this spirit of peace and tolerance be visited upon those parts of the world engaged in conflict and where there is suffering and pain. We wish all Muslim compatriots a blessed Eid Mubarak," Zuma said.



Muslims in 100 countries across the globe celebrated the first day of Eid al-Fitr on Monday.



By Hassan Isilow



englishnews@aa.com.tr



www.aa.com.tr/en - Gauteng