The African Union (AU) has urged Muslims in the continent to take courage and draw strength from the Ramadan season amid the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, who is the Chairperson of the union, gave the advice in a Ramadan message to Africans.
A statement by the Spokesperson to the South African President, Khusela Diko, quoted Ramaphosa as decrying the pandemic.
As of Friday, April 24 the continent had 27,385 confirmed cases of the virus, with 1,297 deaths, and 8,172 recoveries.
According to the spokesperson, globally, the total number of confirmed cases has surpassed 2.7 million, while there has been more than 190,000 fatalities and 737,000 recoveries.
“The crescent moon has risen over Africa and the sacred month of Ramadan has begun.
”On behalf of AU, I wish our Muslim brothers and sisters well during this holy month.
”In Bamako, in Mogadishu, in Ndjamena, in Dar es Salaam, in Cairo, and in Cape Town, during this month, Muslims will fast from sunrise to sunset and engage in acts of devotion and charity.
”Ramadan is a time for reflecting on the values of humility, simplicity, sacrifice, and solidarity.
”Sadly, Ramadan this year will not be as it was last year.
”We are in the shadow of a global public health emergency.
”The coronavirus pandemic has left no area of the world untouched,” the spokesperson quoted Ramaphosa as saying.
The South African leader observed that many countries had imposed measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, and therefore, Ramadan traditions such as praying at mosques, embarking on Umrah pilgrimage, and visiting family and friends would not take place.
Ramaphosa added that overcoming the pandemic would require people to be united and to observe safety protocols in place to safeguard people’s health and the health of others.
”At a time when millions face hunger, destitution, and misery, the charitable acts performed during Ramadan are more solely needed than ever.
”It will be difficult road to restore our society.
”The Ramadan spirit of giving and of charity will continue to be needed for a long time to come.
As Africans, we will emerge from this hardship with a new consciousness.
”We will understand and perhaps as never before, our great duty to help and support those less fortunate than ourselves will be enhanced.
As the holy Quran says, if anyone saves a life, it is as if they have saved the whole of humankind.
May this blessed month, be a time in which we strengthen the existing bond of solidarity between us as Africans,” the AU Chairperson said.
