KABUL - Today I join with all Muslims around the world in welcoming the beginning of Ramadan and wishing you a blessed month. Ramadan Karim. Ramadan is a time of intense devotion, prayer and reflection on the Islamic faith, and on Islam's role in advancing justice, progress, tolerance, and the dignity of all human beings.

These are truly Islamic values. These values are shared by all of us who are working for a brighter future for our own citizens and for the people of Afghanistan. All of us must remember that the world we want to build – and the changes that we want to make – must begin in our own hearts and communities.

The spirit of this month enjoins us to come together to make a better world for ourselves and for each other. At this time of renewal in Afghanistan, I look forward to continuing to work with you, to listening to you and to learning from you how we can continue to support Afghanistan's aspirations as a nation and as a people.

On behalf of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, I want to extend to you again my very best wishes for the Holy Month of Ramadan and to wish the 1.5 billion Muslims in the world a blessed Ramadan. (PR)