Ramadhan Kareem to all: I was sent this tonight and thought it was a great reminder. We all need reminders every now and again. Alhumdullah

In the name of God, the Most Merciful

Congratulations to all of you on the commencement of the holy month of Ramadhan - the month of believers containing mercy, blessing and forgiveness. This is the month that Allah has honored us to be His guests and the Merciful Lord has become our Host as the Holy Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) has said “O’ people this is the month in which you are all invited by Allah as a guest. It is also the month of the Qur'an as it was sent down as the final testament for humanity in one of its nights of power (Lailatul Qadr). Allah (swt) has declared that night as a night better than a thousand months. The holy month of Ramadhan is the month of the revival of the Qur'an, a month when the believers all over the world return to the book of Allah.

This month, in one of the Nights of Power, we will also commemorate the martyrdom of The Martyr for Justice - the master of the faithful; leader of the pious; father of eleven Imams; chief of the beloved people of Allah, Amir ul mo'menin Ali Ibne abi Talib (as). As a result we need to focus our attention on the exemplary life of the Deputy of the Prophet (as) and his character. He was one of the most oppressed personalities in history as was his progeny who sacrificed all they had for the protection of the true Mohammadan Islam. Consequently the late leader Imam Khomeini (ra) has named the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadhan as the Day of the Oppressed of the world and the Day of Quds, because Quds and Palestine are symbols of oppression in contemporary times.
Let us all say salaam, pay gratitude and regards to this holy month and welcome it in the tradition of the Aimma (as). The holy month of Ramadhan provides us an environment of brotherhood. Let us take advantage of this opportunity to be united under the true leadership of the time. Let us implore Allah (swt) to give us taufiq (opportunity) during this month in order that we complete the duties the Almighty has prescribed for all of us. May Allah shower special blessing upon all Muslims in the world.
Source: The Islamic Center of Houston Texas

PS Does anyone's community offer a Quds Parade or something here in the states. My last recollection was in Denver, Colorado in the 80's ?? Would be nice to revise that, Inshallah