DOHA: UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday that he is fasting in solidarity with Palestinians and to honour Muslim beliefs during Ramadan.
During an official visit to Egypt, he expressed his admiration for Islamic customs and his sadness for the Palestinians in Gaza who are deprived of a proper Iftar meal.
“Fasting during my Ramadan solidarity mission, in respect for the Muslim community I’m visiting, I’m saddened by the fact that many Palestinians in Gaza won’t experience a proper Iftar,” Guterres shared on X.
He emphasized his support for Gaza’s residents and called on the international community to take action to allow humanitarian aid into the region.
“While visiting Egypt, I witnessed long lines of blocked relief trucks waiting to enter Gaza. It’s crucial to increase life-saving aid to Gaza. The choice is clear: act decisively or face starvation. Let’s opt for assistance, hope, and the right side of history. I won’t give up,” he captioned a video from Egypt’s North Sinai province, showing aid trucks barred from entering Gaza.
During his visit, Guterres also met with Sudanese refugees in Egypt and shared an Iftar meal with them, showcasing his solidarity.
“Ramadan is a time to promote compassion and peace. I had the privilege of sharing an Iftar dinner with over 500,000 Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers welcomed into Egypt. I stand in solidarity with them and all forcibly displaced individuals,” he stated on X.
His itinerary included a meeting with Ahmed Al Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in Cairo, where he praised the Imam’s efforts to promote peace and solidarity.
“A significant moment during my Ramadan solidarity mission was meeting with Grand Imam Ahmed Al Tayeb in Cairo. His continuous efforts to foster peace and solidarity serve as an exemplary model for all, especially during these times,” Guterres remarked on X.
Moreover, Guterres commended the Egyptian people for their generosity during his visit, recognizing their dedication to compassion, peace, and solidarity.
“Throughout my Ramadan solidarity mission, I have witnessed the generosity of the Egyptian people amidst challenging circumstances. During my meeting with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, I acknowledged their commitment to the values of compassion, peace, and solidarity,” Guterres shared, applauding the spirit of unity in Egypt.
