As more than one billion Muslims prepare to mark the holy month of Ramadan, the Islamic Relief UK has launched its Ramadan Appeal this week to support those who face a daily fight for survival due to poverty, famine, disasters, and conflict, Salaam Gateway reported.

“Islamic Relief has developed innovative solutions for the age-old problem of drought. We all remember the shocking famine of Ethiopia in 1984 and never want to see those kinds of images again,” said Tufail Hussain, Interim Director of Islamic Relief UK.

“We’re grateful that the UK Government is supporting our Ramadan appeal so that together we can help farmers prepare for drought in Ethiopia.”

Interestingly, this year the UK Government will match £2m of the total raised for the appeal, while the money raised from the public will help people in over 30 countries.

Islamic Relief was founded 35 years ago and there have been improvements in the lives of vulnerable people all over the world since that time – thanks in part to the work of charities and governments alike.

This year, the Charity’s Ramadan Appeal will feature ads on buses, bus shelters, tubes and billboards around Britain asking the public “Can you be 5:32?” This refers to verse 5:32 of the Qur’an that says, ‘Whoever saved a life, it would be as if they saved the life of all mankind.’

Islamic Relief is asking people to be inspired by the verse in order to help save lives around the world.

Penny Mordaunt MP, Secretary of State for the Department for International Development (DFID), said: “This innovative UK Aid Match partnership with Islamic Relief will mean thousands of Somali Muslim farmers in Ogaden won’t need to walk for kilometers to find water during devastating droughts. UK aid will double every pound the British public donates to the Ramadan Appeal, meaning their generosity will go twice as far.”

During Ramadan, which lasts from May 6 to June 4, Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset.

In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.

Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to become closer to Allah through prayer, self-restraint, and good deeds.

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.

Beyond that, there is the fact that our generosity at this time helps those who are fasting and engaging in extra worship during this special month.

https://aboutislam.net/family-life/muslims-4-humanity/