As the holy month of Ramadan begins, I want to extend my personal best wishes to Muslims in Don Valley West, in Toronto and throughout Canada. Ramadan Kareem.

Muslims observe this month as a time set for reflection on the wisdom and guidance that comes through faith and the commitments that human beings have to each other and to God.

The traditions of Ramadan, like prayer and fasting, are shared by many faiths, including my own Christianity, which observes Lenten rituals of fasting, charity, worship and prayer each spring. I have learned that these rituals remind us that people of different faiths have more in common than not. They also remind us of Islam’s overwhelming concern for the promotion of justice, progress, charity, tolerance and the dignity of every human being.

Regardless of which faith we practice, or if we choose to practice none, I believe that the people of Don Valley West have many common aspirations – to live in peace and justice; to live with safety and security; to ensure the best education for our young people and good employment for those of working age; to care for our sick and our elderly with compassion and to grow in love.

I want to join with the 1.5 billion Muslims around the world in welcoming the start of Ramadan, and I wish you all a very blessed month.

Don Valley West