A group of Oldham Muslim friends have successfully climbed the highest mountain in the UK while observing Ramadan fasting to raise funds to help the people of Bangladesh.
Milad Sarwar, 24, organized the grueling climb to the peak of Ben Nevis with five other fundraisers, successfully raising £1,500. They hope to raise £4,000 to Nessa’s Trust to build houses in Bangladesh, Asian Image reported.
“We aim to help as many people as we can by continuing our work. Slowly, with the help of Allah we will grow our projects,” Milad said.
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“We recently helped build a house for a man with Cancer who was struggling to work as a rickshaw driver. We built a house for him and his family alongside building a house for another family of 11.
“When we climbed Mt Snowdon last year, I felt like it was the hardest climb I have done but after climbing Ben Nevis I would say that climb was actually the hardest. It felt ten times harder.”
Unity
Milad said charity had brought people from different nationalities together.
“I don’t think most people can say they have climbed the UK’s tallest mountain while fasting. A lot of the locals were shocked and impressed that we were able to carry out the climb,” he said.
“One of the five pillars of Islam is to give charity (Zakaat). We feel it is our duty as Muslims to give back. We are lucky to be in a position we are in. We are British and have all we need in life. We’ve got homes and cars and jobs. So we have the opportunity to help others who are not so well off.
“It’s not a burden but it is our duty as Muslims. I hope our story will inspire a lot of young people out there to not only do charity climbs and events but to set up their own charities.”
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Hijri Islamic calendar. It commemorates the first revelation of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad.
Generosity and charity are generally blessed in Islamic Shari`ah, however, it’s specially blessed during the month of Ramadan.
Many Muslims also believe that rewards are multiplied in the fasting month.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Ramadan is an honorable and blessed month, and the rewards for generosity are multiplied in it.”