Ramadan
and Eid Greetings The Honourable Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi is the leader of the largest component of South African population, an elder statesman and second most prominent political leader after the President Dr. Nelson Mandella. In the latter's absence, Prince Buthelezi has presided as the acting president of the Republic of South Africa. December 1998 Dear Muslim Brothers and Sisters, As I witness thousands of Muslims both here and around the world, deeply engrossed in the worship, glorification and adoration of Alimight God in their regular prayers, I am filled with admiration at your devotion and commitment. I offer my heartfelt appreciation for this wondrous manifestation of Divine Glory in your daily lives. Your fasting during this Holy month of Ramadan, no doubt, fosters God-consciousness and emables the promotion of a noble and good life in the pattern of Divine Attributes. You are indeed fortunate in having the Holy Quran to guide you in all your affairs, both worldly and spiritual, in accordance with Divine Will, and in having the Holy Prophet as a teacher of such eminence unparalled in human history. I am aware of the immense contributions Islam made to our civilisation in the heyday of its glory. With such wealth of wisdom and love at your disposal, you should be able to play a constructive role in the affairs of our country. The last two centuries have seen revolutionary upheavals that have shattered the unity of mankind, devastating systems of life, leaving a legacy of a violent, unstable and unhappy world. Our hope is that mankind has seen the folly of their lives. Flickering light of moral renaissance is beginning to radiate in many parts of the world. Here in South Africa, you are aware of the immense problems afflicting it. There is a dire need to restore the foundation of good life. For this we need moral regeneration in our daily lives. We need to cultivate the eternal varities of virtue. Islam, meaning Peace and Submission to the Divine Will, if practised faithfully, can help us in this endeavour. I am very much concerned and worried at the current state of affairs. I am striving in my own way to create the bond of humanity amongst all sections of our population, to instill those values which will help us to attain peace and happiness. I appeal to you to help me in this task as you are in the privileged position tobe able to do so. Please join me in this exciting enterprise. For now, I wish that the blessings of this holy month, through the Fast, carry you on to a successful life in the coming years. And I extend my greetings for the coming Festival of Eid. May God "rejoice in your bargain." Mangosuthu Buthelezi, MP |