BAGHDAD, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert extended on Monday her greetings to all the Iraqi people, particularly Muslims, on the onset of the holy month of Ramadan.
"Ramadan is a month of peace and reflection, where families and friends get together. It is when Muslims give and forgive, turn their thoughts to the less fortunate and those who are suffering," Hennis-Plasschaert, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), said in a statement.
Hennis-Plasschaert said that she, in particularly, sympathizes with "those Iraqis who live in the holy month without their loved ones who lost them in the conflict or who are waiting for the return of the missing. We feel for those who remain displaced, living in camps or unable to return home," according to the statement.
"I sincerely hope that the spirit of the holy month will bring an additional sense of positivity to this country and its good people. I wholeheartedly wish you a peaceful and joyful month. Ramadan Kareem," she added.
Ramadan is an Islamic religious observance of the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It begins with the sight of the new moon and continues for about 30 days.
For Muslims, Ramadan is considered the holiest month of the Islamic year. They all respect Ramadan which is characterized by fasting through the entire month from dawn until sunset, as they refrain from eating, drinking and all sinful thoughts and deeds.
