Monrovia – A Representative Aspirant of Montserrado District #13, Alexander Sonpon, has presented several food items to several mosques in the district ahead of the climax of Ramadan.
The mosques include MKK, New Georgia, Billimah, New Georgia among others.
The Representative Aspirant donated a little over 50 bags of 25 kg rice worth over Seventy three thousand Liberian Dollars (LD$73,000.00).
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad, according to Islamic belief.
This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon, according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadiths.
While fasting from dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations.
Muslims are also instructed to refrain from sinful behavior that may negate the reward of fasting, such as false speech (insulting, backbiting, cursing, lying, etc.) and fighting.
Food and drinks are served daily, before dawn and after sunset.
Spiritual rewards (thawab) for fasting are also believed to be multiplied within the month of Ramadan.
Fasting for Muslims during Ramadan typically includes the increased offering of salat (prayers) and recitation of the Quran.
At the presentation ceremony Tuesday, Sonpon hailed the Muslim community for their prayers rendered to Allah for the maintenance of peace, unity and coexistence amongst Liberians especially ahead of the 2017 elections.
He said he was humbled by their prayers and needed to identify with them beyond religion.
According to him, both the prayers of Muslims and Christians have helped to greatly direct the path of the country by its leaders.
For their part Musa V. Swaray, Secretary General, Lassana Varfee, Ways and Means Chairman and Ma Bendu Sellah, Chairlady all of the Al- Ansari Central Mosque in Iron Factory commended the donor for his humanitarian assistance.
According to them, Mr. Alexander Sonpon was a true and patriotic Liberian who extended hands of friendship to all beyond religious or political affiliations.
They noted that gone are the days when others used rice during their fasting period to gain sentiments.