JOHANNESBURG, July 6 (Xinhua) -- South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday urged the Muslim Community in the country to join efforts to combat global challenges such as religious intolerance and racism.
"Let us work together to end racism, sexism and religious intolerance," Ramaphosa said at a prayer session in Laudium, west of Pretoria to mark the Eid-al-Fitr.
Eid is a culmination of the observation of Ramadan, in which Muslims around the world deepen their spirituality and abstain from food and drinks among others from sunrise to sunset.
Ramaphosa said the Muslim community should stand together to oppose the wars, civil conflicts and acts of terror that continue to claim the lives of so many innocents in a bid to build a peaceful, just and prosperous world.
"As we mark the end of the holy fast, let us affirm our commitment to work together to end poverty, inequality, injustice and tyranny," he said.
"Let us stand together to oppose the wars, civil conflicts and acts of terror that continue to claim the lives of so many innocents."
He praised Muslims as a community that continues to play a vital role in the renewal, reconstruction and transformation of the nation.
"This is a community that reminds us of the work we must continue to do to improve the lives of our people, the people of this country and the people of this continent," Ramaphosa said.
He also stressed the role of Muslims in ensuring peaceful local government elections scheduled for August 3, calling on voters to elect representatives that are "honourable, dedicated, hard-working and selfless".
