Richard Eldah

The holy month of Ramadan is for worship, contemplation, deep reflection and observance, said Richard Eldah, the charge d’ affairs at the British Embassy in Riyadh.

Speaking about the activities during the holy month, Eldah said, “Ramadan is a month of worship and contemplation and to remember those who are less fortunate than others.”

“On this occasion, I go to our friends and partners in the Kingdom, offering them congratulations and wishing them all health and happiness, peace and spiritual enrichment with family and friends during this holy month,” he stated.

He added: “Muslims have been observing Ramadan in the United Kingdom for many decades and we are very proud of the strong links that unite the Islamic world, including our partnerships in the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia.”

Ramadan is about many things: Moderation, contemplation, giving and togetherness are a few elements which give Muslims the opportunity to get rid of sins and purify the soul during the holy month.

There is more to Ramadan than just abstention from food and drink. It is a time to purify the soul, turn one’s thoughts to Allah, practice self-sacrifice by eschewing one’s basic instincts and use the month to re-evaluate our lives in the light of Islamic guidance.

The Arabic word for fasting (Sawm) literally means to refrain and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but also from evil actions, thoughts and words.

He said Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom enjoy very cordial relations and the depth of their relationship is evident from the fact that currently, there are more than 350 economic investment and trade projects between the two countries which are being implemented in various fields and more British companies are seeking to form new partnerships.

The volume of trade exchange between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom is estimated at more than SR23.3 billion and the two Kingdoms are linked with a number of economic and cultural Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and agreements including an agreement to avoid double taxation and a memorandum of understanding in the fields of technical and professional training, tourism, health, youth and sports.

 
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