As the Muslim community in our country and the region ushers in Ramadan, I extend my best wishes personally and on behalf of the people of Kenya to all followers of the faith.
We all had hoped that when this month’s crescent moon appears and the month of Ramadan is announced, fasting would begin in a time of peace and plenty. Yet, Ramadan has come in the middle of serious trials and tribulations for our people.
The Holy Month has come in the middle of a dramatic and devastating famine in sections of our country and in the Horn of Africa. It has come with our neighbor, Somalia, whose citizens we host in their thousands, suffer combined effects of drought, famine and war. They continue to flee to our country in their thousands.
The tribulations we and our neighbours are going through are a good reason for us to look forward to this Ramadan. I pray that this Ramadan provides an opportunity for people of all faiths to appreciate the need for increased spirituality, discipline, thankfulness, and consciousness of God's mercy.
In the middle of our current tribulations, I hope we can use Ramadan for its humble goal of giving and reaching out to those less fortunate. I pray that we use this period to build a partnership that elevates our people and our country to overcome the temporary difficulties and divisions. Equally important, this Ramadan must remind us of our responsibilities to one another as neighbours and human beings, to share the little we have, to open our doors to the desperate and be kind to those to whom nature has been unkind.
It is also my hope that when the month is over, and our Muslim brothers and sisters gather to mark Eid il-Fitr, we will join together to celebrate the revival of our hopes for peace and plenty for our people and our nation; and to count the blessings of Allah. Ramadan Kareem.
Rt. Hon. Raila A. Odinga, EGH, MP
PRIME MINISTER
SUNDAY, JULY 30, 2011
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