The month of Ramadan is definitely a month of sharing and solidarity.
One of the five pillars of Islam, fasting this month represents four weeks of charity, frugality, and piety during which Muslims must show selflessness and support to the poor.
Preparing for Ramadan, a UK charity is offering emergency food parcels for vulnerable families ahead of Ramadan.
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In a city with a high population of the Bangladeshi community, with people “not having regular food support”, Abul Choudhury, Age UK Camden Great Croft Resource Centre manager, said help was needed more than ever, Ham & High reported.
“There are many families living with their extended large family in crowded social housing blocks,” he said.
“As Ramadan approaches, the need for bespoke food parcels has become apparent, particularly as the Cromer Street Mosque is closed.”
The food parcels will include dates, lentils, rice, chickpeas, vegetable oil, onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, besan flour, spices, and ghee.
Nikki Morris, Age UK Camden CEO, said, “It is vitally important that during this crisis we respect and support the diversity in our community and developing emergency food parcels appropriate for different faiths and cultures is one way in which we can do this.”
Holy Month
Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
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 be closer to Allah through prayers, self-restraint, and good deeds.
It is customary for Muslims to spend part of the days during Ramadan studying the Noble Qur’an.
However, Ramadan this year would be quite unusual with people now in a global lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to the fact that mosques have been shut down in many countries, as part of governmental health measures to contain the spread of the virus.