The Ramadan Task Force appointed by the Western Provincial Council has announced the launch of the campaign titled ‘SALAM RAMADAN’ to be held from 21 to 31 March 2025 in Colombo.
Coinciding with the Holy Month of Ramadan, the campaign is aimed at enhancing the Ramadan experience in the city of Colombo through an illuminated atmosphere and a cultural festival at ‘Green Path’ during this period.
‘Salam Ramadan’, is a citywide, social initiative by the Western Provincial Council, to address the gaps in awareness and understanding in the country about the religion of Islam, the Holy Month of Ramadan, and the cultural and traditional practices of the Sri Lankan Muslim Community.
Conceptualized as a hybrid festival of food, culture and tradition, associated with the Holy Month of Ramadan and the Sri Lankan Muslim community, the initiative is in keeping with the Government of Sri Lanka’s vision of building unity through celebrating cultural diversity and strengthening community ties.
To that end, the festival would enhance the Ramadan experience by fostering a festive atmosphere, greater community participation, economic engagement, and interfaith understanding, similar to how religious and cultural festivals of other communities in Sri Lanka are celebrated in the country.
Addressing the media yesterday, speaking on the vision behind this initiative, the Chairman of the Ramadan Task Force, Rizan Nazeer, stated, “Ramadan is more than just a month of fasting. There is so much more to share with our fellow Sri Lankans in terms of cultural practices, traditions, food and so on.”
“When you take into account that the Sri Lankan Muslim community comprises four ethnic groups, namely the Moors, Memons, Malays and Dawoodi Bohras; each of whom has a vibrant tapestry of cultural norms that make them unique from the other, the potential for bridge-building through a festival of this nature is immense,” Nazeer added.
The ‘Salam Ramadan’ campaign is scheduled to launch from 21 to 31 March 2025 at Green Path, Colombo. (Newswire)