Media Statement

Muslims around the world have begun their daily sunrise-to-sunset fasts for the next month, the African National Congress wishes all Muslims a reflective, spiritually uplifting and beneficial Ramadan. The lessons of Ramadan – of self-restraint, discipline, reflection, communion with others and most importantly with God – are ones that all our people can benefit from.

This Ramadan comes at a particularly challenging time for the Muslim community, and, indeed, for all of us around the world who are concerned with justice and human dignity. We had all hoped that, by now, there would be a ceasefire in Gaza, that apartheid Israeli bombs would stop falling on people displaced multiple times and trying to take shelter in a place where, as numerous UN officials have said, there is no place to hide. We had hoped that Palestinians would be allowed some respite to be able to start fasting in peace and start rebuilding their lives.

Alas, Palestinians enter the month of Ramadan under extreme bombardment, under an expanding colonial project, under the violence of armed-to-the-teeth settlers invading their lands and their homes. More than 31,000 Palestinians have been mercilessly massacred and more than 72,000 have been injured since October 7th by occupation forces (the majority of whom are women and children). Humanitarian aid is being blocked by the brutal Israeli regime who is using starvation and famine as a tool of war. The genocide continues.

This brutality, violence and criminality will weigh heavily on all Muslims as they enter Ramadan, as they begin their fasts at suhoor, and as they break their fasts at iftaar.

As the ANC we call for an immediate ceasefire; the free flow of aid and goods; the implementation of the provisional measures of the International Court of Justice; and ultimately the right of return and self-determination of the Palestinian people.

The ANC will always pursue justice for Palestinians and all oppressed peoples, whether in international courts, multilateral forums or at home. As our Muslim members and other compatriots pray this month for Palestinian liberation, the ANC will remain tireless in its support and pursuit of that goal.

The month of Ramadan is also characterized by generosity and selflessness. The South African Muslim community plays in an important role in the philanthropic and civil society sectors. Every year – not just in Ramadan – the South African Muslim community donates on a large scale to address the impoverishment of our people in the country. We would like to appreciate the involvement of the Muslim community toward the goal of poverty reduction in South Africa and the world over.

Ramadan Kareem! Ramadan Mubarak!