Issued by: Office of the President
MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT MANDELA
My sincere and heartfelt greetings to all Muslims in South Africa and across the globe on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
I am confident that you have emerged from the holy month of Ramadan spiritually rejuvenated, morally strengthened and physically fit.
This great month in the Muslim calendar would have awakened in all of you a renewed sensitivity to the plight of the poor, the hungry and the destitute. I am sure that it has opened in your hearts the flow of human compassion, charity and love, not only for fellow Muslims, but for all South Africans.
It is my fervent wish that the warmth and love that is generated on this special day will spill over our entire nation in the true spirit of reconciliation.
South African Muslims, as members of other minority religions, are rest assured of the government's continued commitment to the principle of the equality of religions.
May I take this opportunity, therefore, of wishing the South African Muslim community a happy and joyous Eid Muburak!
(signed) Nelson Mndela President of the Republic of South Africa
19 February 1996