I would like to send my very warmest wishes to all our Muslim members and supporters across the United Kingdom and beyond. Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, but it’s much more than just fasting from food. It’s a time of self-discipline, sacrifice and devotion.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim calendar and is a holy month, being the month in which God commenced revealing the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) via the Archangel Gabriel. 

Those first verses to be revealed now form Quran surah 96 verses 1-5, since the Quran is not arranged in chronological order of revelation. 

“Read! In the name of your Lord who created:
He created man from a clinging form.
Read! Your Lord is the Most Bountiful One
who taught by the pen,
who taught man what he did not know.” 

From “The Quran: a new translation” by M.A.S. Abdel Haleem, Oxford University Press.

This Ramadan will be different as we respond to the coronavirus pandemic which means staying at home to save lives. As per Government guidance Mosques will continue to remain closed until restrictions are lifted. People should continue to pray at home with their household only and not invite others for Iftar or prayers.

You can learn more about Ramadan at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan 

On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Forum, I would like to wish all of our Muslim members and friends Ramadan Kareem.  I wish you peace, success and a blessed month.

Faruk Miah MBEChairman CMF