Iranian VP Hopes for Close Muslim Bonds in Ramadan Message
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri in messages on the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan hoped that Muslim nations would strengthen brotherly relations.
In separate congratulatory messages to his counterparts in Muslim countries, Jahangiri expressed the hope that beginning of Ramadan would mark the strengthening of brotherly bonds in the Muslim world.
He also hoped that capitalizing on the revitalizing teachings of Islam would help eradication of violence and terrorism from the world.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, began in Iran on Saturday.
The holy month marks the most special of all occasions for Muslims. It is a celebration of the descent of the Word of God, the Quran, from Heaven to the earth.
Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan. Abstaining from food and drink, and from other bodily pleasures, is a crucial element of the observation.
At the end of each fasting day, Muslims break their day-long fast with an “Iftar” meal.
Ramadan is more than abstinence from food and drink during the hours of daylight. It is a time for contemplation, devotion and remembrance of God, especially through the reading or recitation of the Quran.
Tending to the welfare of the less fortunate members of the community, giving to the poor -especially at the end of the month- is also important.
Intensive self-reflection and increased God-consciousness during the month of Ramadan is meant to subdue and suppress familiar misdeeds, such as backbiting, holding grudges and telling lies.
