OBAMA ISSUED A MESSAGE TO MUSLIMS, CONGRATULATING THEM ON THE START OF THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN

President Barck Obama has issued a message to American Muslims and Muslims around the world congratulating them on the start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan as a time to remember the poor and the needy and to share responsibilities.

“On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I extend our best wishes to Muslim communities here in the United States and around the world on the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan,”

Obama said in a message published by the White House Office of the Press Secretary on Friday.

“A time for self-reflection and devotion through prayer and fasting, Ramadan is also an occasion when Muslims around the world reaffirm their commitment to helping the less fortunate, including those struggling because of economic hardship and inequality,” he added.

In his Ramadan message, Obama stressed US Muslims’ efforts to help the less fortunate all through the year and especially on Ramadan.

“Here in the United States, we are grateful to the many Muslim American organizations, individuals, and businesses that are devoted to creating opportunity for all by working to reduce income inequality and poverty, not only through their charitable efforts, but also through their initiatives to empower students, workers and families with the education, skills and health care they deserve,”

The US President added.  “At a moment when too many people around the world continue to suffer from senseless conflict and violence, this sacred time reminds us of our common obligations to pursue justice and peace and to uphold the dignity of every human being.”

He also repeated his annual invitation to American Muslims to share Iftar at the White House, a tradition going over the past years.

“As I’ve done every year as President, I look forward to welcoming Muslim Americans from across the United States to the White House for an iftar dinner,” Obama noted.

“It will be another opportunity for me to convey America’s appreciation for the contributions of Muslim Americans to our country and to wish Muslims around the world a month blessed with the joys of family, community, peace and understanding, Ramadan Kareem.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister David Cameron has offered his "very best wishes to everyone observing the holy month of Ramadan" in the UK and around the globe, in a special video message marking the start of the holy month.

"This is an incredibly special time of year for Muslims at home and abroad: a time for charity, for contemplation and community,” Cameron said in his video message to Muslims.

The British Premier acknowledged that British Muslims are the top charity givers in the country ahead of all other faiths. "Charity is one of the things that Islam is all about.

Here in Britain, Muslims are our biggest donors - they give more to charity than any other faith group," the prime minister remarked.

"We see this spirit of giving all year round, from the mosques running sports clubs for local children to the Muslim groups selling poppies for Remembrance Day, to those people from around the country

"Ramadan is a time when that spirit comes to the fore and I am so proud when I hear, every year, about the millions of pounds raised for good causes for those less fortunate than us here in Britain, and those who are suffering in wars and in famines overseas.