Ramadan reflections: Fear and punishment must never dominate over love and hope

As Ramadan edges near, a palpable shift dawns upon the Muslim psyche as they make arrangements for a month of worldly sequestration.

There are preliminary talks of the charitable endeavours to be undertaken during the holy month, which mosque to perform the nightly tarawih prayers at and in naughtier quarters of society, a countdown of the number of days left to party before a month of sobriety.