United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the holy month of Ramadan represents a sacred period of reflection and prayer for Muslims around the world, and that Ramadan also represents a noble vision of hope and peace.
This came in a message from the Secretary-General on the occasion of the arrival of the month of Ramadan, which was distributed by the United Nations Information Centre in Cairo to newspapers and media outlets, and the Diplomacy correspondent obtained a copy of it.
According to Guterres, this vision remains out of reach for vast numbers of our human family. From Afghanistan to Yemen, from Gaza to Sudan and beyond, people are suffering from the horrors of conflict, hunger, displacement, discrimination and other hardships.
He added: “In these times of hardship and division, let us heed the timeless message that the month of Ramadan brings us.”
He continued: “That is the message that calls on us to mend the rifts. It calls on us to extend a helping hand and give hope to those who are suffering. It calls on us to protect the rights of every human being and preserve his dignity.”
He also said: “Every year, in the spirit of solidarity, I make a special visit to a Muslim community where I share the fast with its people. And every year I return with my heart filled with the spirit of peace and compassion that abounds in the month of Ramadan.”
Antonio Guterres concluded his message by saying: “May this holy month inspire us to work together to build a more peaceful, generous and just world for all people. Ramadan Kareem.”
