[EDITORIAL] Kindness and tolerance should last beyond the Holy Month of Ramadhan

Today, Muslims across the world celebrate Eid ul-Fitr, marking the end of the holy of Ramadhan. The Eid feast is also a time of forgiveness, as well as making amends for any wrongs against fellow human beings.

Tuesday, July 05, 2016

Today, Muslims across the world celebrate Eid ul-Fitr, marking the end of the holy of Ramadhan. The Eid feast is also a time of forgiveness, as well as making amends for any wrongs against fellow human beings.

For the Muslims, and other believers, too, the holy month always sets the ideal example for the lifestyle that, if observed in our daily lives, could make the world a safer place for all.

Besides fasting, prayer and acts of charity, Ramadhan is characterised by self-restraint, tolerance, the spirit of volunteerism, and self accountability by our brothers and sisters of the Islamic faith. Therefore, as believers, the challenge is ensuring that we continue this kind of conduct even after the holy month of Ramadan.

The celebration of Eid should also be a time of reflection, where we take stock of our lifestyles and conduct, avoiding acts that endanger others. Tolerance, self-examination and restraint are some of the key tenets of Ramadhan that should be exercised at all time, not just in one month of the year.

These principles apply to all religions, observance of which helps build a better and just society that cares for its own and welcomes strangers.