Iftar in Ramadan

Ramadan is a month of fasting, prayer and giving. At sunset, when the adhan for Maghrib is called, a fasting person breaks the fast with whatever food is in front of them. For many poor families in our area, that plate is often empty or has very little on it.

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever gives Iftar to a fasting person will have a reward like theirs, without the reward of the fasting person being reduced in the least" (Tirmidhi). This is one of the easiest ways to earn a great reward in Ramadan, and it is why Iftar is one of our most important seasonal programmes.

Every Ramadan, Giash Uddin Foundation arranges Iftar for poor families, day labourers, travellers, madrasa students and people who live alone. We serve Iftar at community gatherings in the evening, and we also send Iftar packs to homes where people cannot come out, such as the elderly and the sick.

A typical Iftar pack has dates, chira or muri, fruit, piyaju or other simple fried items, a sweet drink and clean drinking water. Before Ramadan starts we also give dry food packs to the neediest families, with rice, lentils, oil, sugar and dates, so they can make Sehri and Iftar at home through the month.

Our volunteers prepare, pack and hand out the food themselves. We keep a list of the families we serve so help reaches the right people and no one is missed or counted twice. After Ramadan we share an account of how the Iftar Fund was spent.

Sitting down together for Iftar also brings people closer. Rich and poor, young and old share the same mat and the same food, and many people who come for Iftar stay for Maghrib prayer in congregation.

You can take part through our Iftar Fund. Even a small amount can give Iftar to one fasting person, and your gift can be a Sadaqah for yourself or for a loved one who has passed away. May Allah accept it from you.