Solidarity initiatives around the world during Ramadan

1. In London, children cook for mental health

In the London suburbs, children cook during the fast to raise funds for a British mental health charity.

Zaavier Khan, teenager from Ilford has assembled a team of 15 children aged 5 to 12 – the Ramadan Kids – to tour restaurants, homes and kitchens to raise £10,000 for the charity Supporting Humanity, which supports the mental health and bereavement of children heavily impacted by the two-year pandemic and successive confinements.

“We want to teach children that charity starts at home. You have to feed the poor in your family first, then your neighbor, then your village, your city and your country.” Zaavier’s goal is to demonstrate that everyone can make a small change in their community.

 

2. In Morocco, a national solidarity operation

King Mohammed VI launched the 23rd edition of the national food solidarity operation in Rabat, aiming to bring help and comfort to the most vulnerable people, mainly the elderly or people with disabilities.

The operation “Ramadan 1443” mobilizes a budget of 103 million dirhams that will benefit nearly 3 million people in 83 provinces and prefectures of the Moroccan kingdom. Thousands of volunteers will be involved, including social workers, helping with the fair distribution of food aid and representing families in need.

Since its launch in 1998, this initiative has mobilized more than 1.5 billion dirhams, with the number of beneficiary families increasing from 34,100 in 1998 to 600,000 in 2020. The project has been given a new impetus under the reign of Mohammed VI, promoting a culture of solidarity to ultimately ensure sustainable human development.

3. In Saudi Arabia, a global humanitarian network has been set up

During the month of Ramadan, Saudi Arabia deployed extensive humanitarian aid around the world, including in sub-Saharan Africa, Bosnia and Albania, and Central Asia.

Since April 2, the day the fast began, Saudi Arabia has launched projects in 34 countries to provide iftar meals, the breaking of the fast, in the world’s most disadvantaged areas. In total, nearly 1.2 million people are expected to have benefited from Saudi donations by the end of the month of Ramadan.

The Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has already visited several African countries to distribute dates and food baskets as part of the Kingdom’s charitable and humanitarian efforts. Meanwhile, King Salman’s Center for Humanitarian Assistance and Relief has launched the Eta’am initiative to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable groups through donations worth a total of $9.99 million.