MUSLIM CHARITY COLORS UK’S RAMADAN

London, 18 Ramadan 1436/5 July 2015 (MINA) – Ceasing the chance of the holy month of Ramadan, British Muslims have been expanding the reach of their donations and Zakat during the holy month, focusing more on offering helping hand to the needy in their community and humanitarian causes, regardless of faith.

“Ramadan has always been a month for giving and sharing and therefore most Muslims chose to pay their zakat at this time of the year,” Thomas Oakford from the Omega Movement told OnIslam.net quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

“This year is a bit different in the sense that donations have been made outside the scope of Muslim charities.”

Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, started this year on Thursday, June 18, in UK.

In Ramadan, adult Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.

The sick and those traveling are exempt from fasting especially if it poses health risks.

In Ramadan, Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to be closer to Allah through prayers, self-restraint, good deeds and charity to the poor.

Throughout Ramadan, Muslim charity organizations hurry up to launch more campaigns in order to support the needy all over the world and grasp the blessings of this holy month, the month of giving.

Their activities vary from food packing and distribution, financial donations, collective Iftars, to shelters and many others.

Shams Abdullah, who works in Crawley as a charity consultant and has helped monitor and set up several grassroot not-for-profits organization, said she witnessed an interesting trend among Muslim-orientated charities this year as many have broaden their reach and targeted non-Muslims in their charitable programs.

“This is not anymore about just helping needy Muslims, it is about building bonds with other communities and embracing people regardless of their beliefs and background. In many ways I truly think this is exactly what we all should be doing as Muslims,” she told OnIslam.net.

“Islam is not about helping just Muslims it is about offering spiritual sanctuary and shelter for all those who need it.” (T/P007/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)