Once again, the month of Ramadan is upon us, Muslims around the world will be engaged in heightened consciousness to inculcate values of justice, empathy for masses of the downtrodden and to embody Islam’s principles of solidarity with marginalized peoples of the world.
The Covid-19 or the Corona Virus is still with us and has presented the Ummah with challenges we never faced before.
In an effort to contain the spread of the virus, the Government of South Africa has in place strict measures that confines the movement and gatherings of all South Africans, though relaxed than last year. This also affects visitations to the Masaajid as numbers allowed to pray at once both in doors and outside have been restricted though better than last year. These restrictions have caused severe consternation and disquiet within our communities. May Allah grant us the patience and wisdom to endure and survive these difficulties.
As we journey through the fasting month, we hope that a high degree of compassion and commitment will be ignited within each one of us to eradicate injustice as one of the root causes for poverty, inequality, and oppression. The Covid-19 pandemic has seriously exposed the manifestations of these malaise as a result of man’s inhumanity to man. After all, Ramadan provides an opportunity to introspect in order to overcome our inclination towards greed and power in all spheres of our lifestyle. We should focus on our humanitarian deficiency and spiritual poverty to help us devote more resources to improve the lives of all our fellow South Africans. A jihad indeed!
Yet the levels of repression experienced in many parts of the world have dreadfully worsened year on year. Casualties caused by wars imposed on the less fortunate and the weak by the superpowers lead to civil wars, unending drone attacks, refugees fleeing ghoulish nightmares, death and destruction, all point to an unending list of horrors recurring, Ramadan after Ramadan.
Despite our extended hours of intense worship during Ramadan, our souls seem to be insulated and immune to these humanitarian crises. The silence of the Muslim countries is deeply concerning. Their message to the oppressed Muslims of the world is “we don’t care about your plight because our thrones matter more”.
Whether this Ramadan will truly awaken Muslim consciousness and inspire them to not only intensify their efforts in the service of humanity but also to fearlessly oppose the “enablers of oppression”, is left to be seen.
The Media Review Network (MRN) wish Muslims, nationally and internationally, well during the Month of Ramadhan. We strive to secure the pleasure of our Creator and we hope and pray that He will be pleased with us. AMEEN.
The Management and Staff of MRN.
