Al-Qalam 
The holy month of Ramadan is upon us, and it is a time to strengthen our connection to Allah.
As Muslims, Allah commands us to fast from our earthly desires in order to get closer to Him. Fasting – this singular act of devotion – provides us with the opportunity to connect not only with Allah but also with each other at a much deeper level. It is a sacred act of solidarity and sacrifice. It is an invitation to a spiritual awakening that reminds us of our duty to Allah and to each other.
However, this Ramadan comes at a challenging time when the people of Palestine are once again facing a deadly onslaught on their humanity. Lives and limbs are being lost on a large scale. The devastation is severe, and the oppressor is unrelenting. The same odds are faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who are living under a brutal occupation that has largely escaped the attention of the world. They are subjected to arbitrary executions, detentions, widespread rape of women and maiming of children. The Democratic Republic of Congo is being pillaged on an industrial scale, and the people are paying a deadly price.
It is fitting that our solidarity should extend beyond our immediate context and reach out to the people of Palestine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Jammu and Kashmir. We should remember them in our fervent and passionate supplications to Allah. We should pray to Allah to instil in us the bravery displayed to them so that we may do more to demonstrate our solidarity with them.
The Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa wishes all Muslims around the world a blessed and rewarding Ramadan. May Allah accept our sacrifices and make us instruments for the achievement of justice in the world.
Thandile Kona, President of MYM.
