Welcome, Ramadan.

I greet you all with the Islamic greeting of peace: Salam-u-Alaykum! Peace be upon you.

Muslims around the world have welcomed the glorious month of fasting with the sighting of the new moon crescent. Over the next four weeks, the faithful will observe fast from dawn to sunset while abstaining from the many pleasures of life.

This period is marked by increased devotion, spiritual reflection, perseverance, and charity. While giving alms and acts of charity are one of the five pillars of Islam, their practice becomes all the more important in this special month of forgiveness and blessings.

Philanthropy in Muslim communities is a long-standing tradition, in the form of Zakat, where a Muslim donates 2.5% of their wealth over a certain amount to charity. A previous US-government report estimated the size of this social commitment between USD $250 billion and $1 trillion annually.

Across different continents, with around 1.8 billion Muslims, we have prominent organizations, philanthropists, charities, and people of service who address social needs with their acts of generosity in a systematic manner.

Like most Muslim children, this central tenet of Islam was deeply ingrained in me at a young age and is positively reflected in the work we do; community is important to us.

It is because in Muslim conception of faith, we are all linked to each other through our responsibilities. A philanthropic act is therefore neither merely an act of faith nor a gesture towards community. It is the building of community through faith and building of the faith through community.

Ramadan Kareem to all of you.