Though the Muslim community in Biloxi, Mississippi, are not able to get together for community iftars, they are making sure no one goes hungry during the holy month of Ramadan.
On Saturday morning, fasting volunteers handed out 250 boxes of food in a drive-thru at Doris Busch Park in Biloxi.
“250 boxes [filled with non-perishable food] on hand with us,” said Ricky Foster, Biloxi Islamic Center Board Member, WLOX.com reported.
“Five-pound bag of flour to five-pound bag of sugar to elbow macaroni,” said Foster.
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The boxes, prepared in coordination with Islamic Relief USA, are meant to spread some hope the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Just to give everyone a boost,” said Foster. “To help out through these hard times of the pandemic.”
Religious Duty
The volunteers also wanted to accomplish their religious duties by helping the less fortunate during the month of fasting.
“Right now, it’s during our holy period of Ramadan,” said Foster.
“We are taught in our religion to help out the community and those who are less fortunate,” said Foster.
“Regardless of who we are, what our religious faith is, what our gender is,” said Foster. “We don’t ask.”
Margurette Woodard, a South Mississippi resident, was grateful for the nice gesture.
“The Lord brought me out this morning to get a box,” said Woodard.
“I am grateful to get it,” she added.
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Hijri Islamic calendar. It commemorates the first revelation of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad.
From dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations).
The month of Ramadan is definitely a month of sharing and solidarity, and Muslims exert efforts during the holy month to give charity to the needy.
Earlier this month, an Islamic charity in Sacramento, North California, extended a helping hand to the needy, giving away boxes of food to sustain them during the fasting month.
In Massachusetts, a local Islamic center held their annual food distribution drive for local families to help them during Ramadan.