As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, the cost-of-living crisis in the UK has left many families struggling to make ends meet. In response, Muslim Aid, the second oldest British Muslim charity, has launched its flagship Feed The Fasting campaign in the country. The initiative aims to distribute 10,000 meals to the needy during Ramadan, alleviating some of the burden faced by those impacted by the crisis.

The launch event took place at East London Mosque in partnership with Euro Foods, one of the leading food distribution companies. Feed The Fasting is an annual campaign, running every Ramadan, with the mission to feed impoverished individuals around the world. In 2022, the charity delivered more than 2.2 million meals across 12 countries.

High-profile figures attended the distribution, including Dilowar Khan, the director of East London Mosque, Lutfur Rahman, mayor of Tower Hamlets, and Shelim Hussain MBE, managing director of Euro Foods. The charity plans to expand the campaign throughout the UK by collaborating with civil organizations, businesses, and local political leaders.

Mustafa Faruqi, Muslim Aid’s chair of the board of trustees, highlighted the reality of poverty in Tower Hamlets, where the charity is based. He shared his personal experience of growing up in a council estate in Hackney, recalling how he and his mother often went without hot food. Tower Hamlets is a borough with 56 percent of children living in poverty, making it a fitting location for the campaign’s launch.

Abul Kalam, head of fundraising and marketing campaigns at Muslim Aid, expressed pride in launching the Feed The Fasting campaign at one of Europe’s largest mosques. He confirmed plans to roll out the initiative across the country as more partners join the effort. Interim CEO of Muslim Aid, Khalid Javid, added that it felt natural to launch the campaign close to home, given the alarming poverty rates in the area.

In related news, UK supermarket chain Asda is catering to Muslim customers this Ramadan by launching dedicated shelves for the holy month in 150 stores nationwide. This represents a 47% increase from the previous year, demonstrating a growing awareness of the needs of the Muslim community during this sacred period.

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect countless families, the Feed The Fasting campaign by Muslim Aid serves as a beacon of hope. By providing meals to those in need, the charity is not only fulfilling a religious obligation but also addressing a critical social issue in the UK.