In Ramadan 2023, Islamic Relief supported families with vulnerable economic situations around the world. In Italy, Islamic Relief distributed 463 food vouchers across the country aiming to reach around 2,000 vulnerable people in the provinces of Milan, Brescia, Trieste and Rome.

Two of the recipients were the families of Habiba and Rabiaa. Both Habiba and Rabiaa struggle to support their children and dependants with their meagre incomes. They also care for family members with permanent health conditions.

Habiba’s Story

Habiba (45) lives in Monza, Italy. She struggles to provide for her three children as a single parent.  

“I do the chores in some houses and structures such as gyms. This is my source of income and this is how I provide for my family needs. 

 “Food is not a problem. My friends and neighbours know about my situation, and they always help me with what they can. The main challenge I’ve been facing for years is about health.  

“Two of my three children were born with a malformation that forced them to undergo many surgeries during their childhood.  

“Because of the health problems of my children, in certain periods I had to choose between working and looking after them. That meant relying only on charities for the food and the clothes and sometimes it was very hard and frustrating.  

“During these tough times I tried to take advantage of some migration laws to let my husband reach us in Italy and help me with the children, but due to my financial situation, it was not possible. 

“During Ramadan people are more generous so it is easier for me to find some help”  

“Living in a non-Muslim country, we don’t really feel the difference. I work as always, but I try to go home earlier to prepare iftar. The mosque here organises some events, but with my disabled son it is not always easy to join the community.  

 “Our diet is mainly based on pasta, rice, some vegetables and we can afford it, some meat. I don’t have much time to cook, my eldest daughter often helps me and prepares dinner for her siblings. 

“You guys lighten a burden for people like me. This month I have one less worry and I can focus on my youngest child’s surgery.” 

Rabiaa’s Story  

Rabiaa (49) lives in Milano, Italy with her husband, brother and 4 children. She works precarious jobs, cleaning and cooking. 

“We don’t have a fixed monthly income. I’m the only one who can work and provide something when I have the chance to do some cleaning or cooking. My brother just arrived from Morocco and my husband is disabled”  

“(My brother) came to Italy through a clandestine route and he had to walk for a while in the cold with inappropriate clothes. Because of the cold, they had to cut his hand and some toes. He can’t work so we have to cover his needs too.  

“It’s very difficult to cover all the costs and often we can’t provide the children with all the stuff they need. Alhamdulilah for food we can rely on charities supporting us and the local mosque.”  

“We had a very tough time during COVID. My husband used to work and provide for our needs, but after he got the vaccine, he got very very sick” Pulls out again the mobile phone, “Sorry to show you this, but just to let you understand”, shows us photos of a man in intensive care “this is him, doctors could not understand what happened to him, we thought he would die.   

“Alhamdulilah Ramadan is a blessing because there are more good people like you helping us, at least for food.”   

 “We are very grateful for you guys who support us. With the voucher I can buy all the items my family need and at least for one month we can relax or focus on other priorities, not only on food.”  

 

Every year, Islamic Relief delivers Ramadan food packs to families in need worldwide. One of the recipients includes Fatuma Bashir (38), a widow and mother of 7, in Garissa, Kenya.

Fatuma was previously a trader of bananas and lemons. However, she became a stay-at-home mother following the death of her husband. As she had no one else to look after her children if she worked.

Struggling to Feed Her Family

 “My husband was the sole breadwinner of the family but unfortunately, he recently passed on. I used to supplement the family’s income by selling lemons and bananas at the Garissa town market. (But) I was not earning enough income to support all the basic needs of the family. 

“Currently, I am not able to trade at the market because I have a nine-month-old child who needs my care. I have no one to leave with the young ones. We are now dependent on well-wishers and relatives for food and water.  

“In Garissa, we are forced to buy water from water vendors which is quite a struggle for me because I do not have enough money. Neighbours have been kind enough to share their water with us.” 

“My neighbours contributed a few supplies such as beans, rice and sugar so that I could open a small kiosk when my husband died but the sales are very low. 

“We eat whatever I manage to get each day. I am grateful to God because we can have one meal a day, and sometimes we are lucky to have two meals.  

 “Alhamdulillah, the children are healthy, but they come to me crying out of hunger when we lack meals. It saddens me that I cannot provide for them always, but we leave it to Allah.”  

Daily Life in Kenya During Ramadan

“Ramadan is a Holy month of prayer. We continue to observe our religious obligations to Allah through fasting and prayer. I ask for forgiveness and seek Allah’s mercies on my family.”  

 “Our Ramadan diet is the same as throughout the year. We do not have special meals because we are grateful to have a meal any day of the year. We prepare whatever I get. I try to diversify our meal to include beans, rice, flat bread, and a corn meal made from maize.

 “I wake up at 3am to prepare Suhoor for the family. We eat together, pray, and start our fast. We do not go back to sleep. The children go to school, and we are left looking for water for the family. I close kiosk at 3pm to prepare the iftar meal when we are blessed with food.

“During Ramadan, a lot of people pray together in the morning and evening at the Mosque. The children visit the Mosque in the evenings to listen to evening sermons by the Imam while we I listen through the Mosque’s megaphone while cooking at home. Ramadan is a special time when people are kind to those in need. Neighbours invite others to share in meals as we chat under the sun setting.”

How Islamic Relief Helps

Fatuma came to learn of Islamic Relief after a friend referred her to the organisation, following her husband’s death. She requested support and was registered on the OrphanCare programme for quarterly monetary support for one of her children, as well as the Ramadan Food programme.  

A total of 31,710 people benefited from last year’s Ramadan project in Kenya. 5,285 food packs were distributed in Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, Moyale, Kilifi, Nairobi, and Tana River Counties.  

Each food pack included 10KG long grain rice, 10KG maize meal flour, 10KG wheat flour, 5KG sugar, 5KG dates, 5KG beans and 3L cooking oil.  

Groups who received food packs included divorcees, single mothers, orphan families, persons living with disability, vulnerable families taking care of persons living with disabilities, poor families and families affected by the drought. 

“The food pack given by Islamic Relief was a welcome relief to many who were affected by the drought,” says Fatuma.  

“I received a pack with assorted food items that I needed. I did not need to buy more food for at least two weeks (as) I received all the ingredients needed to make a meal.” 

 “The pack was wholesome because it had the food items that are normally consumed in our locality. I would only ask that you increase the quantities next time because we are struggling to make ends meet.” 

Um Muhammed is a 35-year-old Iraqi woman. She currently lives in Al-Anbar-Faluja-Alshuhadaa and has benefited from IRW-Iraq food basket distribution for Ramadan. 

As a widow, she is the sole head of her family. Um Muhammed has four children of different ages, who all live with her. They are Muhammed (10 years old), Rasool (9 years old), Ali (8 years old) and Reem (6 years old).

She said, “I was widowed overnight and had to support my four children alone, which shocked me deeply. After the death of my husband, some benefactors gave me a cow, which I raised and whose milk I sell to the teachers of the village and to some neighbours. It is my only source of income to feed my children.”

Struggling to Provide for Her Family

Regarding the difficulties she faces in providing for her family in terms of food, water, health and other basic needs, Um Muhammed said, “Everything has become very expensive, which is stressful and uncomfortable for me.

“My children’s needs increase with the start of the school season, such as school fees, clothing, and an increase in seasonal diseases. One of my biggest challenges is keeping my children in school and not missing out on the opportunity to learn because I have lost it. The vacations greatly affect my income, forcing me to sell the milk for half its value to ensure my daily subsistence.”

Regarding hard times and the effect of food shortages on her family’s life, she said, “Sometimes my children sleep without dinner after a long night of crying, so my psychological state breaks down and I don’t sleep at night.” 

Daily Life in Iraq During Ramadan

Regarding the impact of the month of Ramadan on her life and what it means to her, she said, “I look forward to Ramadan because there is a spiritual atmosphere and people donate money and food, which allows me to save money to meet other basic needs.” 

She also discussed her daily routine during Ramadan. She said, “During Ramadan, we gather with our family members and neighbours to read the Quran and listen to religious lectures, which has given us a better understanding of the teachings of the religion and how to relate to others, especially during fasting.” 

As for their normal diet during Ramadan and throughout the year, she said, “We depend for our food on cereals and bread provided by the state rations, which are not enough for us. Sometimes I also depend on milk from my cow, so I heat the milk and give it to my children to make up for the lack of food. During Ramadan, our diet varies a bit. My children love the Makhlama dish, which consists of potatoes, onions, peppers, eggs and sometimes meat, if available. I also make pudding from my cow’s milk.”  

How Islamic Relief Helps

Regarding What is the impact of IR food distribution in her community during Ramadan, she stated that many people in my village suffer from poverty, so the Ramadan food basket is a great joy because it contains a variety of foods that we often cannot provide, as well as a sufficient amount for the month of Ramadan. 

As for how the Ramadan food package helped her and her family, she said that the Ramadan food basket allows her not to have to buy food, and also contains a wide variety of products, allowing her to cook more food, which the children look forward to and love to eat for Fotoor. 

When asked how she knows about IRW-Iraq and whether she has benefited from any other IRW-Iraq projects, she replied, “An IR Iraq employee visited us at home after a member of the village explained my living situation”. The employee asked me several questions and asked for information about my children, their ages and my livelihood. After a few days, one of the employees informed me of the distribution date. 

She was asked how we could improve our food packages for Ramadan. At that, she replied, “The food basket contains the necessary and basic products, especially during the month of Ramadan, and I think it meets all our needs.” 

Finally, she said, “You have brought joy to my home, which encourages me to take time to focus on worship during the month of Ramadan”. My children and I wish you much success. May Allah reward you in the best way possible. 

Yaqub Batrs Toma (76) is the head of the household and lives with his wife in Iraq. He currently resides in Ninawa, Teleskop and benefited from the IRW-Iraq Ramadan food basket distribution. 

How does he provide for himself and his family in terms of food? He said, “My wife and I live here alone, we are both old, we don’t have the ability to work and we don’t have children to support us, neighbours and charitable people help us.”

Regarding hard times and the effect of food shortages on his family’s life, he stated “We need food too much because we both have medical problems and take medication”, so we have to eat healthy food, but sometimes we have nothing to eat when we have no one to support us.”

Daily Life in Iraq During Ramadan

He found that the month of Ramadan had a significant impact on their lives. He also appreciated the warmth they received from the Muslims from their community and within Islamic Relief.

“We are Christians, but we see that it is a month of goodness and blessing with your help,” he stated.

When asked about the changes and community events during Ramadan, he said, “We spend all our time with my wife at home because we have no place to go.”

He also said, “We are Christians, but we celebrate with our Muslim neighbours, who offer us a dish from their kitchen. 

How Islamic Relief Helps

Regarding the impact of the IRW-Iraq food distribution in his community during Ramadan, he said, “Your support has made everyone happy, and us too, even though we are Christians.” 

Regarding how the Ramadan food package helped his family, he said, “Your food package made us happy because we saw that there is no discrimination between Muslims and Christians and that you support them all equally. 

When asked about how he came to know about IRW-Iraq and how he benefited from other projects he replied, “We knew you from neighbours who told us about your NGO and your great support. 

He was asked how we could improve our Ramadan food packages, to which he replied 

 “I think you are doing humanitarian work because the name of your NGO is Islamic, but you help everyone regardless of religion and nationality, but I hope you will continue this work and not limit yourself to the month of Ramadan.” 

Finally, he thanked the IRW Iraq organisation and wished them success. 

In Ramadan 2023, Islamic Relief distributed food packs to the most needy communities worldwide, including those most vulnerable in Indonesia.  

Around 2,580 food packs were distributed, benefiting around 10,320 individuals in need across Aceh, Cianjur and Jakarta. The content of the food pack provided covers a month’s worth of food.  

The program prioritised the most vulnerable people – those affected by disasters and the impact of poverty. Among these groups included female-headed households, pregnant and lactating mothers, orphans, elderly and individuals with disability. 

One of the recipients of the program includes Ibrahim (66), a Quran teacher, and his wife Khasdiana (63), who is a housewife.  

Unable to Earn a Livable Wage

Ibrahim was born and raised in Lam Asan Village, Indra Jaya District, Aceh Jaya in Indonesia. He has a physical disability that makes it hard for him to move around without mobility support, such as the crutches he uses now. To help him with these struggles, his wife regularly helps during his Quran classes as he’s teaching the children.

For food, Ibrahim solely relies on what he earns from the teaching Qur’an and charitable donations. Due to his disability, he is unable to find another job to improve his family’s financial situation.

He feels fortunate to live near flowing mountain water. Thus far, the resource continues to fulfil his family’s needs. He also is not charged any money for using it.

How Islamic Relief Helps 

Islamic Relief’s Ramadan food support aims to help fulfil family needs for food during Ramadan.

Ibrahim considered the Ramadan food package extremely helpful and helped him and his family survive the month. He is very grateful for the help in making it easier for him to fulfil his needs considering the increasing costs of food due to inflation.

Last Ramadan, in 2023, one of the ways Islamic Relief has tried to support vulnerable communities around the world is through food distribution projects. One of the countries these food packs were delivered to was Ethiopia.

Ethiopia experiences a wide range of major socio-economic effects. Internal ethnic conflicts, drought, continued political unrest and war, as well as the steadily rising cost of living, have all taken a massive toll on the population.  

To combat issues such as food insecurity that come about as a result, Islamic Relief food distribution projects aim to support those most in need. These include orphans, through their fasting guardians, elders, lactating and destitute mothers, IDPs (internally displaced persons), people in poverty and other vulnerable groups.  

One of the recipients includes Momina Warrio and her family of 6, who live in Weltane IDP camp in Meiso, Oromia in Ethiopia.

Struggling to feed their family

“Getting enough food is quite difficult for us because we don’t have a regular and dependable source of income.

“My husband and I do not have a steady source of income to buy enough food for ourselves and our kids. My husband is a labourer, and we are very reliant on his meagre wages to cover our daily expenses.

“I occasionally gather wood in the jungle and sell it for a few pennies in town to supplement our income. As my husband and I get older, it becomes more difficult to maintain a labour force, generate income, and feed our kids on a regular basis.”

“Our children will go hungry if I and my husband become ill and are unable to work at our labour jobs.”

Life as an Internally Displaced Family in Ethiopia

 “For us, experiencing the effects of food shortages is not new. We have lived with this ever since we left our home and became IDPs. We frequently suffer greatly from a lack of nourishment.  

“My husband and I will be forced to stay home during the rainy season because we are unable to travel to our regular workplaces. The entire family encountered hunger at that time due to a lack of food to eat, especially our kids. 

“Likewise, we experience challenges during fasting occasions like Ramadan due to an extreme absence of food for fitur (iftar) and suhur (suhoor).”

Ramadan While Internally Displaced in Ethiopia  

“In the past, before we became IDPs, we used to fast Ramadan with no challenges…as we were able to gather crops and cereals using our fertile farming lands.  

“We were physically and psychologically strong and economically better off to fast the whole month of Ramadan and benefit from its numerous spiritual benefits.  

“We used to eat a well-balanced diet during Ramadan or out of Ramadan. For instance, we could prepare and eat meat and meat-related meals, too many biscuits and cookies, barley and oat soup, kitfo, etc. But now the experience is totally different. 

“Food is extremely scarce in the Weltane IDP Centre. Due to the severe impoverishment in the neighbourhood, purchasing food is out of reach for all of us. 

“The majority of Muslims who practise fasting throughout Ramadan lack sufficient food and other basics. There have been occasions when we were fasting in Ramadan with no food and only drinking water.  

“This breaks our hearts as we are unable to fast throughout the holy month of Ramadan.” 

How Islamic Relief Helps 

In 2023, more than 6595 households and 32,975 individual rightsholders benefited from the food pack project. Both In-kind and cash voucher assistance modalities were utilised to deliver the Ramadan food support. 

“This Ramadan food package is a huge benefit to my family and my IDP neighbours because it alleviates the hardships, we are experiencing due to the food crisis,” Momina says.

“We are pleased that the pack includes the food items we frequently consume. Food costs increase during Ramadan, and we are unable to buy those expensive food items. We will be able to meet our food needs during and beyond Ramadan thanks to the food pack support.  

“We are grateful to Islamic Relief and its donors for their kind support of underprivileged families like ours. I thank IR and the givers for the kind assistance I received. I pray to Allah (SW) to accept the fasting and good deeds of all IR families, especially those who donated these Ramadan food packs.”

After one year of escalating conflict, Sudan has descended into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. It is on the verge of mass famine. Its food supply is decimated and young children are now starving to death in its cities, villages, and displacement camps.

Sudan is at imminent risk of collapsing. Yet, the world has largely forgotten or ignored the crisis.

A country in desperate need of aid

During the ministerial conference on Sudan held in Paris on 15 April – co-hosted by the EU, France and Germany – Islamic Relief called on world leaders to take action. To step up efforts to secure an immediate ceasefire, pressure parties to the conflict to protect civilians, ensure humanitarian access and increase aid to prevent a catastrophic famine. As, a quarter of the way through the year, the 2024 humanitarian response plan for Sudan is only 5% funded.

Over the past year, the war has spread across the country, creating what is now the world’s largest displacement crisis. 8.4 million people – 2 million of them children under 5 years old – have been forced to flee their homes.

Children are now dying of hunger. Islamic Relief staff on the ground report a rapid increase in the number of malnourished children in the health and nutrition centres it supports. This includes some children so emaciated they can barely breathe. Many families also only eat a few mouthfuls of sorghum a day.

In recent months the fighting has spread to many of Sudan’s main agricultural regions, devastating food production. Many farmers find it too dangerous to access their fields to plant or harvest crops. When they do harvest them, trucks carrying food to markets are regularly looted.

Around 30,000 more people a day are falling into crisis levels of food insecurity. Overall, 17.7 million people (almost 40% of the population) now face hunger. Among them, 5 million are just a step away from famine. In parts of Khartoum and Darfur, famine conditions will likely awithin weeks.

The economy is collapsing at a staggering rate. Poverty is rising and food prices are almost doubling – leaving most families unable to afford even basic staple food.

Increasing Violence in Sudan

Islamic Relief teams in Sudan report an increase in extreme violence and threats to civilians over the past year. Villages burned to the ground. Women attacked. Children recruited into armed groups. Hospitals and markets bombed and looted. Key infrastructure and services destroyed.

Elsadig Elnour, Islamic Relief’s Country Director in Sudan, says: “Over the past year I’ve seen my country descend into violence, madness and destruction, neglected by the rest of the world.

“Everyone has lost everything. Everyone is traumatised. That’s how it feels to be Sudanese at this moment. We have lost loved ones, property, jobs, and the futures that we planned. Even the rich have become poor. Unless there’s a ceasefire and peace very soon, the country may collapse.

Over the past year, Islamic Relief has had to move its main office in Sudan several times due to the increasing spread of violence. Sudan is now one of the most dangerous and difficult places to deliver humanitarian aid, with dozens of aid workers killed, offices regularly looted and regular bureaucratic obstruction.

Islamic Relief on the Ground in Sudan

Despite the challenges, Islamic Relief has delivered vital aid to more than 600,000 people all over the country, including distributing food and cash, supporting health facilities and providing hygiene and dignity kits. 

With the crisis neglected internationally, Islamic Relief’s new report highlights how Sudanese communities are playing a leading role in the response – with community kitchens providing food and impoverished families taking displaced families into their own homes and sharing what little they have. It calls on international donors at the Paris conference and beyond to increase funding and technical assistance for grassroots community networks, particularly women-led groups and civic committees.

Islamic Relief’s report calls on warring parties to commit to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, kickstart dialogue for a sustainable resolution to the conflict, and adhere to commitments they have made to protect civilians and facilitate safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to all people in need.

It calls on the international community to step up aid, especially to improve food security and support livelihoods, and to play a greater diplomatic role and reinvigorate efforts to reach a ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access.

Ethiopia faces a wide range of major socio-economic issues. Internal ethnic conflicts, drought, continued political unrest and war, as well as the steadily rising cost of living have taken a toll on its population. And the situation is only worsening.

In the escalating humanitarian crisis, Islamic Relief is providing relief to the people of Ethiopia, including through our Ramadan project.

Implemented every year during the holy month, the Ramadan project aims to help the most vulnerable communities. These include orphans and their guardians, elders, new mothers, IDPs (internally displaced persons) and impoverished families.

Last year, in 2023, more than 6595 households and 32,975 rightsholders benefited from the project.

One of the recipients was Misra Ali Ahmed and her family, who live in an IDP camp in Meiso, Oromia in Ethiopia.

Unable to Afford Basic Necessities

As parents of 4, Misra and her husband struggle to provide for their and their children’s needs.

“I have no income; my husband works as a daily labourer, and we fulfil our daily necessities with his hard-earned money.

To be really honest, we cannot afford to feed our kids with the wages that my husband earns on a daily basis because his daily work will not always be there.”

To help with the bills, Misra would sometimes go to the forest during the summertime to collect wood to sell in the town nearby and make some money. However, it was still not enough to cover the food, clothing and other essentials the family needed daily.

“Feeding our five children at least once a day has been a burden for us as parents.”

Life as an Internally Displaced Family in Ethiopia

Misra and her family are IDPs. They had to flee their home because of the conflict between the Somali and Oromo tribes, leaving behind their livelihood.  

“We experienced the most difficult time when we first became IDPs. Since the first day we left our home, my family, especially my children, has been severely suffering from food shortages.  

“We had to settle in a remote area where there are no opportunities for work, generating money, or supporting our family. We don’t have any land to use for cultivating crops.  

“My husband will go to work with an empty stomach during times like Ramadan and the rainy season, when our food shortage becomes more and more challenging to handle. On these occasions, we will experience starvation, which is so tough to cope with.” 

Ramadan While Internally Displaced in Ethiopia  

“We have enthusiastically welcomed the holy month of Ramadan since it is a special and wonderful experience for us, despite the fact that we are dealing with serious socioeconomic challenges.  

“In the past, we used to have special occasions and distinctive everyday routines during the month of Ramadan. We used to prepare special meals like biscuits, soup, and cookies and share them with our relatives and neighbours.  

“We have no special diet either during Ramadan, (it’s) usually injera with shiro stew. There are some bad times (when) we miss Injera and Shiro, so we spend the whole day and night with an empty stomach. 

Likewise, without enough food supplies to go around in the camp, getting together with the family’s other IDP neighbours is a rare occurrence.  

“Unfortunately, for the past three years, we have fasted throughout Ramadan without having enough food or other essentials like electricity. These days, without proper food or electricity, we are fasting and experiencing a different Ramadan. 

“We used to spend a lot of time praying, visiting family, preparing unique traditional foods, and sharing Fitur with our loved ones.  

“(But now) there is no mosque nearby where anyone can perform tarawih prayers, and there is no electricity access to recite the glorious Qur’an in this blessed and holy month.”   

How Islamic Relief Helps 

“Indeed, Allah is always there to look after us, even though we lack access to better healthcare or a decent standard of living.  

“I consider myself to be a member of the Islamic Relief family, (as) this is not the first time that Islamic Relief has helped me.  

“In the organisation’s last two years of the Qurbani project, I obtained Qurbani meat packs. Additionally, I am included in the durable solution livelihood project that the organisation is implementing in the Weltane IDP centre.  

With this project, I and my IDP neighbours are deployed in the camel fattening initiative. I, along with the other nine families from the Weltane IDP community, have gotten 180,000 ETB from Islamic Relief and bought two baby camels that we are currently fattening. I’m hopeful that we’ll generate income and improve our standard of living.

Your Impact of Giving Food Packs

“This Ramadan food pack support will be particularly beneficial for my family and also the Weltane IDP fasting families, who have been struggling with an extreme shortage of food.  

“The food package includes 60 kg of wheat flour, 5 kg of split lentils, 5 kg of rice, and 2 litres of oil. (It) would greatly assist us in meeting our food provision needs for the upcoming two and three months.  

“As we have an extreme shortage of foods, these package contents will add some nutritional value to our diet. We can prepare lentil stew, rice porridge, soup, cookies, biscuit pancakes, and other kinds of meals for my children, and they will enjoy eating them. 

“Throughout Ramadan, we can fast without being concerned about getting Fitur meals. Our kids will like eating the cookies, biscuits, porridge, and pancakes we make for them.  

“I am sure every IDP family is truly happy as a result of this distribution of Ramadan food packs because it brings them joy and happiness. It significantly helps us to cut our higher food expenses and saves the time and effort we spend searching for food for our children. 

“I thank Islamic Relief and the Ramadan food pack donors for the generous support I have obtained today. And I ask Allah (SWT) to bless all IR families and these specific Ramadan food pack donors and accept their fasting and their good deeds during this holy month.” 

The beautiful month of Ramadan has passed, leaving most of us feeling sad and a little empty.

Days spent fasting have ended, nights spent doing Taraweeh and in worship have vanished, and family get-togethers for Iftar breaking fast have disappeared.

We miss the special feeling in our hearts – that one that kept us going despite our hunger and thirst. Many of us are afraid of the inevitable. That our busy schedules will catch up to us, making us fall back into our old routines and habits.

But, this doesn’t have to be the case. With a little dedication and some careful planning, you can keep the Ramadan momentum strong all year round.

Be Proactive in Shawwal, the Month After Ramadan

Shawwal is the 10th month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar and begins its first day with Eid Al-Fitr. Many of us know it as the month after Ramadan and often don’t think much about it aside from Eid. However, there are also many opportunities for reward in it.

The six days of Shawwal are voluntary fasts one can observe in the month. Doing so holds immense rewards, as the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime.”

Muslim

Fasting on the first day of Shawwal is prohibited, because this is when Eid Al-Fitr takes place. However, afterwards, one can fast for six days at any time during the month before its end. If it’s accepted by Allah (SWT), then the believer reaps the rewards of a year of fasting.

In turn, being the month straight after Ramadan, Shawwal is also a time to reflect on and continue the good habits we’ve built in the blessed month. To strengthen those habits, as well as our hearts and minds, for the months ahead.

Stay God-Conscious, Always

Firstly, it’s important to remind ourselves that the blessed month of Ramadan provides us with the perfect opportunity and the tools to reboot spiritually and to get closer to Allah (SWT). In fact, Ramadan is supposed to increase your faith and God-consciousness:

“Believers! Fasting has been prescribed for you–as it was prescribed for those before you–so that you may be conscious of God.”

Quran 2:183

But it shouldn’t end there. We should strive to be conscious of God at all times, not just during certain times of the year.

A simple way you can do this is through dhikr (Remembrance of God), through repeated du’a (supplications) or Qur’an recitations.

Prioritise Prayer Over Everything

During the month of Ramadan, many of us spend more time in devotion and prayer. One way to keep your Ramadan spirit alive and well throughout the year is by prioritising your prayers.

For example, if you usually pray late, start praying on time. If you don’t pray regularly, try sticking to the obligatory five. If you find yourself distracted during prayer, try being more present when you kneel in devotion to God. Consistency is key.

Build your relationship with the Qur’an

One of the key things Ramadan leaves us with is a closeness to the Qur’an. We listen to it, pray behind an imaam leading it, and try to increase our relationship with it. And with great reason!

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Recite the Qur’an, for on the Day of Resurrection it will come as an intercessor for those who recite it”

Sahih Muslim

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “One who is proficient in reciting the Qur’an is associated with the noble, pious (angel) scribes. As for he who stammers when reciting the Qur’an and find it difficult for him, he will be granted a double reward.”

Sahih Muslim

In the month of Shawwal, try to double down on your relationship with the Qur’an. Here are some key tips:

• Set aside a time daily to recite it, even if it as less as 10 minutes
• Accompany recitation with memorisation (of chosen parts) and understanding through Tafsir
• Try to internalise what you are reciting and reflect on the meaning.
• Join a Qur’an class to improve your tajweed, and thus recite the Qur’an as it should be recite it
• Set goals for what you want to achieve in your Qur’anic journey – perhaps completing it once every few months can be an attainable goal (with the ultimate aim of completing it once a month!)

Fast Regularly

While we are obligated to fast during the holy month of Ramadan, remember you can fast regularly throughout the year.

In addition to six fasts of Shawwal, there are many opportunities to fast outside of Ramadan. In fact, Aishah (RA) narrated:

“The Prophet (ﷺ) used to try to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.”

Tirmidhi, Nasai, and Ibn Majah

Fasting is another act of worship and its rewards are immense, so don’t underestimate the magnitude of what you could gain by following our beloved Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) Sunnah.

Give Generously

Ramadan is also known as the month of charity; it is narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) was the most generous during this blessed month.

But remember, your generosity and charity don’t have to stop at Ramadan. In fact, giving charity holds special significance in Islam with the Prophet (ﷺ) saying:

“The believer’s shade on the Day of Judgement will be his charity.”

Musnad Ahmad

As we live in increasingly challenging times and in a world where the level of human suffering is unprecedented, a small amount of charity could go a long way for someone in need.

A great way to give to charity all year round is by finding a cause that you’re passionate about and setting up a regular monthly donation, even if it’s just $2. That way, not only will you take the hassle out of donating, but you’ll be creating long-term change.

Shawwal. The 10th month of the Islamic calendar.

Many of us know it as the month after Ramadan. A month we begin by celebrating Eid Al-Fitr, a day filled with happiness and festivities.  

As it’s the first day of Shawwal we connect with family and friends on Eid al-Fitr. When we pray together, exchange greetings and gifts, and thank Allah (SWT) for allowing us to participate in and enjoy another blessed Ramadan. 

It’s also a month when many of us feel sad that Ramadan has passed. As we miss the opportunities for rewards and heightened spirituality we had during the month.  

However, there are also many ways to gain more Ramadan-like feelings and rewards in Shawwal.  

What is Shawwal? – A month to continue the goodness 

Shawwal is the 10th month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar and begins its first day with Eid Al-Fitr.

It is also renowned for the six days of Shawwal. These are six voluntary fasts one can complete at any time throughout the month of Shawwal (except on Eid al-Fitr) and doing so holds immense rewards.

For the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime.”

Muslim

Doing these six fasts is recommended as a means of redeeming any shortcomings in the quality of our fasts in the month of Ramadan. What’s more, they are equivalent to a year of fasting if accepted by Allah (SWT). 

Scholars have also considered one’s intention to fast the six days of Shawwal as a sign that their observation of Ramadan has been accepted.

In fact, Ibn Rajab (RA) said that doing these fasts would be a way of demonstrating our gratitude to Allah (SWT). For the blessings, mercy, and reward that Ramadan has to offer. 

“[Allah wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful”

Qur’an 2:185

As such, Shawwal marks a precious time to reflect on and continue the good habits we gained in the preceding month: the blessed month of Ramadan. An important month to centre the mind, body and soul for the remainder of the year and beyond. 

Key Dates in Shawwal: Eid Al-Fitr

The first day of Shawwal is also when Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Fitr, one of the celebrations recognised in Islam. The other is Eid al-Adha, observed on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic Calendar.

On Eid al-Fitr, Muslims come together to enjoy the reward of observing and completing the holy month of Ramadan. They attend the Eid prayer and pay Zakat al-Fitr. It is also a day of festivities. When community members dress their best and exchange greetings, gifts and food with family and friends.

The First Month of the Hajj Period

Shawwal is the first of three months (before the month of Dhul Hijjah) in which some of the acts of Hajj can begin to be performed, such as the Tawaf of Arrival. The period of Hajj also begins in Shawwal, which is otherwise called Ash-hur Al-Hajj or the months of Hajj. 

When does Shawwal begin and end?

The sighting of the new moon of Shawwal signifies the end of the holy month of Ramadan, and the beginning of Eid al-Fitr and its festivities.

This year, the first day of Shawwal begins on the evening of Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Eid prayer and the festivities of Eid al-Fitr take place on the following day Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Shawwal 2024 ends on Wednesday, May 8 May.

The six voluntary fasts of Shawwal can take place at any time throughout the month. However, one cannot fast on the first day of the month, as it is forbidden to fast on Eid al-Fitr.

“The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade fasting on the day of al-Fitr and al-Nahr.”

Sahih Bukhari

Keep the blessings of Ramadan going

With our spirituality renewed, we all want to keep hold of that feeling at the end of Ramadan – that closeness to Allah (SWT). SubhanAllah, the deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly – even if they are small. 

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “The most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even if it were little.”

Sahih Bukhari

So don’t let go of that feeling – hold on to Allah (SWT)’s love. Giving regularly, even just $10 a month can help transform the lives of communities suffering the effects of conflict and natural disasters.