French interior minister greets Muslims on Ramadan

French Interior Minister Manuel Valls has sent a message of best wishes and greetings to the Muslim faithful here upon the start of the holy month of Ramadan, the Interior Minister's office said. Valls is in charge of government relations with the members of the various religions in France and oversees contacts with the leaders of the Muslim faith through the French Council for the Muslim Faith (CFCM) office. In a message to all Muslims in France, the Interior Minister wished them "happiness and prosperity" during Ramadan. "This time of fasting is a moment of coming together around religious ceremonies which the lay republic respects and protects," Valls said. In a message of support, he also said that the government was "determined to fight against all forms of discrimination and to ensure that this month of Ramadan is a month of peace and fraternity for the Muslim faithful." The Interior Minister said that he would be meeting with French Muslims for Iftar later in the month.