PM calls for spiritual growth through piety, self-discipline and gratitude
PETALING JAYA: As Muslims in the country welcome the holy month of Ramadan today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the obligation of fasting is not merely about fulfilling one of the five pillars of Islam.
He added that Ramadan is the time for Muslims to strive to understand its deeper wisdom and the objectives of the Islamic faith.
“Praise be to Allah, we express our utmost gratitude to Him for granting us the opportunity to once again meet the noble and long‑awaited month of Ramadan,” he said in a social media post yesterday.
In this context, he said the motivation in performing acts of worship during the Ramadan month should be driven by the spirit of mujahadah (to strive against sins).
He added such acts of worship throughout the holy month should be driven by the spirit of mujahadah, not solely in pursuit of rewards in the hereafter.
At the same time, he noted that Ramadan serves to strengthen self-discipline and cultivate a stronger commitment to carrying out daily duties and responsibilities with sincerity and dedication.
“The ultimate reward of this practice is the attainment of piety, which must be nurtured through fasting as a process of character building, rooted in a conscious awareness of the heart and an inner vigilance shaped by fear of Allah,” he said.
On Tuesday, Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal Syed Danial Syed Ahmad announced that Muslims will begin the Ramadan dawn-to-dusk month-long fast starting today.
He said the date was set by the order of His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and was consented to by the Rulers.
The sighting of the new moon for the commencement of Ramadan took place on Tuesday.
The fasting month also overlaps with the Chinese New Year, which was welcomed on Feb 17, signalling a double occasion for Malaysians in the country.
Most Muslims observed a two-day public holiday on Feb 17 to 18 to prepare for the fasting month and to spend time with their families.
KTMB is offering a 30% discount for all Electric Train Service (ETS) routes in conjunction with Ramadan, which began yesterday.
On Sunday, KTMB announced a 20% discount for selected ETS trips from (Sunday) Feb 15 to 22 in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations and the start of Ramadan.
