Ramadan Best Madrasah For Self-reflection, Addressing Shortcomings - PM Anwar

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- The month of Ramadan is the best ‘madrasah’ for self-reflection, while also strengthening focus, improving work quality and addressing existing shortcomings, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said Ramadan serves as a ‘school’, which brings together all segments of society - muftis, ministers and the general public - to return to self-reflection with humility and modesty.

“Take this opportunity to reflect and improve ourselves. This is not a time to teach or lecture others, but a space to look inward, address our weaknesses and enhance our capabilities in various fields,” he said when speaking at the assembly with Home Ministry staff and the Ihya’ Ramadan programme, here, today.

Also present were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican.

Anwar said that fasting is not merely a tradition, but a test of sincerity, discipline and inner strength, as experienced by earlier ummahs and recorded in the Quran.

Anwar said Islamic scholars have associated Ramadan with a madrasah ruhiyah (spiritual school), which emphasises the development of inner strength and self-discipline, while also instilling compassion for the poor and those in need.

He said the priority throughout Ramadan is to seize the opportunity to enhance one’s capabilities in various aspects of life.

“That is why scholars remind us that this Ramadan ‘tarbiyah’ (spiritual nurturing) must lead to improvement. How do we know there has been improvement? We will evaluate it in Syawal.

“Whether during this Ramadan, our performance, faith, character, personal conduct, work quality, commitment, as well as personal and spiritual cleanliness, are better than in the previous month,” he said.

He stressed that every individual must set a firm resolve to improve themselves comprehensively, including strengthening their relationship with the Quran, enhancing the quality of worship and prayers, and reinforcing work discipline.

Meanwhile, Anwar said that, although Ramadan is enlivened with practices such as attending the mosque, giving alms and performing the umrah, weaknesses such as leakages and corruption must not continue to recur.

“We have undergone the Ramadan test for many years, yet some forms of decay and weaknesses continue to be repeated. This is a reminder to all of us - to me and to everyone,” he said.

-- BERNAMA