Johannesburg, NU Online
Launching war on hunger during the holy month of Ramadan, a group of Islamic organizations have been racing to offer food to the needy people across Africa all through the fasting month.
<>
“We have distributed uncooked food packages in South Africa, Mozambique and Malawi,” Hassan Choonara, regional director of the South Africa-based Africa Muslims Agency (AMA), told Anadolu Agency.

“We also provide Iftar and Suhoor [breakfast and pre-dawn] meals in 29 African countries.”

Choonara said his organization targets to feed over three million Muslims in Africa during this year’s fasting month of Ramadan, which began on Thursday.

“Last year, we fed over one million Muslims during Ramadan. This year, we hope to triple that to three million, God willing,” Choonara added.

Choonara said AMA had built dozens of mosques across the continent, where its staff members were providing poor Muslims with hot meals for Iftar and Suhoor.

“To feed a village at each mosque every day during Ramadan costs us about 2,500 rand [$230],” he said.

Along with ready meals, the organization has also provided uncooked food packages to poor families who preferred to prepare their own meals.

The food was basically provided by Muslims in south Africa as part of their Zakat.

“We normally raise funds from the South African Muslim community, which contributes to us through zakat [Islamic almsgiving] and other forms of donations,” Choonara said.

“Ramadan is in winter [this year in South Africa]. Muslims will not only be feeling hungry, but also cold – so we’re giving them blankets, jackets and other winter items,” he added.

Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, kicked off on Thursday, June 18.

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.

Many men perform i`tikaf (spiritual retreat), spending the last 10 days of the month exclusively in the mosque.

World Muslims

Along with local Muslim groups, a number of other South African Islamic charities, including Islamic Relief South Africa, have joined the campaign to feed thousands of poor African Muslims this Ramadan.

“We have already distributed over 1,100 food hampers to Muslim families in South Africa and Zimbabwe,” Abdullah Vawda, fundraising manager for Islamic Relief South Africa, said.

The offered packages contained rice, maize meal, oil, sugar, and other foodstuffs sufficient to feed a family of five for the entire fasting month.

“We hope to feed over 5,000 people in South Africa and Zimbabwe this Ramadan and will continue distributing food hampers throughout the fasting month,” he said.

“I’m grateful to the Muslim organizations that have given us food with which to break our fast. We appreciate it a lot,” Mohamed Yasin, an elderly man from Johannesburg’s Enadel suburb, added.

“Thank God, I’m sorted now,” he said with a smile, adding that he could now focus on prayers and fasting without worrying where he would find his next meal.

Aisha Ali, a resident of Johannesburg’s Mayfair suburb and a charity beneficiary, has also praised the Islamic organizations for offering help.

“I thank God for helping us through these [Islamic charity] organizations,” she said. (masdar)