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Ramadan Greetings to Muslim Leaders

President Hassan Rouhani hopes a stronger feeling of sympathy and solidarity among Muslims during the holy month would encourage them work harder toward relieving the sufferings of Muslim people and shaping a better future
Hassan Rouhani
Hassan Rouhani

Senior officials extended greetings to their Muslim counterparts on the advent of the fasting month of Ramadan on Saturday.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, started in several Muslim countries, including Iran, on the same day.

President Hassan Rouhani wished Muslim nations and heads of state and government wellbeing and prosperity, voicing hope that a stronger feeling of sympathy and solidarity among Muslims during the holy month would encourage them work harder toward relieving the sufferings of the Ummah and shaping a better future for them.

The president said it is up to the top brass, intellectuals and scholars to seize the opportunity the holy month offers and fight Islamophobia promoted by adversaries. He urged them to explain the noble teachings of Islam and cultivate a clear image of the wonderful religion.

"By presenting the image of moderate Islam, with the help of the merciful God, create a world free of violence and extremism," he wrote.  

  Welcome Opportunity  

Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani expressed his "felicitations and congratulations" to Muslim parliamentarians on the arrival of Ramadan, which he described a welcome opportunity to foster the spirit of brotherhood and amity among the believers of the Muslim faith.

"Moving away from the difficult and regrettable conditions of the Muslim world, at the root of which lies the rapid spread of extremism and takfiri terrorism, requires a coherent approach by Muslim nations," he wrote.

A takfiri is a hardliner who believes followers of some Islamic sects, including Shia, are apostates punishable by death. The ideology is the trademark of terrorist groups operating in the Middle East, including self-styled Islamic State and Al Qaeda.

"Without question, parliamentary cooperation would prove useful in promoting peace in the Muslim world, sustainable security, stability and prosperity of Muslim states. Iran's Parliament will embrace any form of dialogue and constructive interaction."

Vice President Es'haq Jahangiri also wrote a congratulatory message to his Muslim peers.

"I hope that in this auspicious month, we will witness the  strengthening of brotherly bonds among the Muslim community and the eradication of violence and terrorism from the world," he wrote.

During Ramadan, able-bodied Muslims abstain from food and drink and other bodily pleasures from sunrise to sundown as an effective way of practicing self-discipline.

They are also expected to avoid sinning and strengthen their character through self-restraint, charitable deeds and introspection.

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