On the directive of the National Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu Ghanaian Muslims agreed to commence the Ramadan fast from June 6. Apart from Ghana, countries the worlds over from Asia, Africa, Middle East, Europe, and America have also listened to exhortations from Saudi Arabia and other states to begin fasting.

According to information reaching us many Imams and Islamic scholars will intensify prayers to Allah to find favor with them during the month of Ramadan and after as follows:

• May this Blessed month be full of blessings and forgiveness for you and may Allah (swt) accept all your fasts, prayers or “aduas” good deeds and sacrifices during these most precious days.
• May Allah help us to use this special month to increase our devotion to Him, strengthen our relationship with Him, and intensify our determination to overcome our weaknesses in our obedience to Him such that we become His devoted slaves, submitting to His every Command, no matter the difficulties we may face.
• In this Blessed month that marks the revelation of the Glorious Qur’an and in which we strive to complete its recitation, let us also intensify our efforts to ensure that we work to implement every word that we recite in our lives in this world.
• We pray that the light and Mercy of Allah will shine on his Laws showing gracefulness on our lives and burn away oppression, corruption and darkness, leaving in its place justice and harmony for humanity.

• May Allah (swt) also bring great victories for this Ummah during this blessed month against its oppressors and for great successes in the dawa to establish the Khilafah based upon the method of the Prophet hood.
• May Allah help us to witness soon this great state and for the Ummah to celebrate future Ramadan under the protection, justice and the glorious System of Allah. Ameen Allahumma Ameen!

After observing the prayers and fasting there is the need for us to note that there is more to fasting than staying hungry from dawn to dusk. According to Afuwa Kasule of Uganda Ramadan is more than fasting for 30 days and for 18 plus hours per day. Ramadan is a lesson for us in Islam, it teaches us how to be grateful for the life and the provisions we have from Allah. It makes us think and reflect on those who are less fortunate than us and teaches us patience, love and how to be a humble and grateful human being. We need to learn these as Muslims.

Endeavor to show Patience even when you wake up to realize one day that you have nothing on you.

Show Love to love humanity and do not discriminate based on status but have compassion to help those in need.

Be Humble, to thank God for what we have and to never look down on anyone.

be Grateful, before everything you have is taken away

Ramadan also teaches us the definition of unity. We break our fast with other Muslims that we don’t know and we all eat from the same table, yes we are all from different cultures and backgrounds but Islam teaches us we are all one.

Ramadan teaches many things that are too long to mention. However, it's not called "starving" ourselves for almost a day but it has a deeper meaning. Everything Allah makes us do as Muslims has a good reason.

Alhamdulillah thanks be to Allah for his gift of “deenil Islam” to mankind.

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