Kuala lumpur: The month of Ramadan is being highlighted as the prime period for self-reflection, enhancing focus, and addressing existing shortcomings, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He emphasized that Ramadan acts as a 'madrasah' or school, uniting various segments of society, including religious leaders, government officials, and the general public, to engage in introspection with humility.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar urged individuals to utilize this time for self-improvement rather than instructing others. Speaking at an assembly with Home Ministry staff and during the Ihya' Ramadan programme, he encouraged people to look inward, address personal weaknesses, and enhance their capabilities across different fields.

The Prime Minister underscored the significance of fasting beyond tradition, framing it as a test of sincerity, discipline, and inner strength, drawing references from historical experiences of earlier Islamic communities documented in the Quran. He highlighted that Islamic scholars have described Ramadan as a spiritual school focusing on inner strength, self-discipline, and compassion for the less fortunate.

Anwar urged individuals to seize the opportunity during Ramadan to enhance various aspects of life, emphasizing that the spiritual nurturing ('tarbiyah') of Ramadan should lead to tangible improvements. He stated that these improvements would be assessed during the month of Syawal, evaluating enhancements in performance, faith, character, work quality, and personal and spiritual conduct compared to the previous month.

He called for individuals to set a firm resolve to improve comprehensively, including strengthening relationships with the Quran, improving worship quality, and reinforcing work discipline. Anwar also noted that while Ramadan is enriched with religious practices such as mosque attendance, almsgiving, and performing umrah, persistent issues like corruption and inefficiencies must not continue.

Concluding his statements, Anwar reminded the audience that despite the repeated tests of Ramadan over the years, certain weaknesses persist, serving as a constant reminder for continuous self-improvement.