Ramadan is a month of giving as well as fasting. It is a time to help the less fortunate by giving more to charity.
For Islamic Relief, giving food to the needy is a common tradition the charity has kept for years.
This year in Birmingham, Islamic Relief partnered with caterer Tandkas to hand food parcels to those struggling in Ramadan, Birmingham Mail reported.
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Since the start of Ramadan, they have successfully fed around 400 people a week through community iftars open to anyone and everyone.
“The masjid has seen an increase in people asking for help and the number of people coming on a weekly basis has increased to around 400 people,” Arwa Kawan, community fundraising officer for Islamic Relief, said.
“In recent times I also feel the stigma is being removed behind asking for help and it’s important Islamic Relief partners with masjid like these.
“Last year, Tandaks kindly donated the food and this year it reached out again to donate food. We also partnered with Zamyls, which gave 100 boxes. We’re blessed to work with businesses which recognise the need to provide food to the needy during Ramadan.”
Food Boxes
Tandaks also worked with Islamic Relief to prepare 200 boxes of food which were distributed to the community on Sunday, April 25.
The caterer, which specializes in Punjabi street food, provided packages of traditional biryani, kebabs, pakoras, and bottled water.
“We’re providing families in need during Ramadan and we did this last year as well so we wanted to get involved. This is the true spirit of Ramadan because it’s about giving,” Tandaks owner Alia Rehmi, who runs the business with her husband Syed Shah, said.
“It’s a shame that, due to cost of living rising, many Muslims are going without food during iftar so we’re trying to do our bit to help as much as we can.”
“We reach out to our followers and they support our cause as well and this brings people together. Fruit and water have been donated by followers so it’s a community effort. So many people came forward to help and donate that we had to start saying no but it’s the Ramadan spirit.”
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In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
Generosity and charity are generally blessed in Islamic Shari`ah, however, it’s specially blessed during the month of Ramadan.
Multiplies rewards, for one thing, Ramadan is a blessed month where the rewards for all of our good deeds are multiplied.