São Paulo – During their sacred month, Muslims worldwide make donations to those in need and living in vulnerable conditions. Such actions are taking place in various countries, including Brazil. One of the beneficiaries is the Palestinian people, who have been living in conflict for over a year.
The emirate of Ajman, one of the seven that make up the United Arab Emirates, sent 410 tons of food, personal hygiene products, and essential items to the Gaza population earlier this month. This donation resulted from the initiative of four charitable organizations in Ajman, which came together to send essential items to Gaza in an operation that had already sent supplies to the region in February.
In Mauritania, aid came from the Qatar Charity Association (QCA). Through the campaign “Our goodness is inherited,” 40 tons of food were donated, reaching 5,800 orphans and members of needy families.
The U.N. refugee agency UNHCR manages the Global Zakat Fund for Refugees. According to the institution, since 2017, more than 8.6 million people have benefited from the initiative, which collects cash donations and redistributes them to Muslims in need. According to the UNHCR, in the first half of last year over 535,000 refugees and internally displaced persons received assistance from the Zakat Fund.
This year, Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims, is celebrated from March 1 to 30. During this period, Muslims in good health must fast from dawn to sunset and engage in prayer, reflection, and charity. When night falls, they break their fast with iftar, a meal shared with family and friends.
The Federation of Muslim Associations in Brazil (FAMBRAS) will host iftar on Tuesday (18) at the Complexo Boracea Complex/Barra Funda Centro de Acolhida in West São Paulo. There, 1,300 homeless people will be welcomed for dinner, as has been done for the past five years. “With this gesture, we reinforce the importance of helping others and strengthening bonds of solidarity,” said Ali Zoghbi, vice president of FAMBRAS, in a statement. The Boracea Complex houses seven public assistance facilities. This initiative is supported by the Municipal Social Development Secretariat, as well as Korin Alimentos, Frigorífico Frisa, Milhão Indústria e Comércio de Ingredientes e Cereais, and Frescca Mineral Water.
Quick facts
More information about the Global Zakat Fund for Refugees is available here.
Iftar Solidário Fambras
Location: Complexo Boracea – Centro de Acolhida Oficina
Address: Rua Norma Pierucini Gianotti, 77, Barra Funda, São Paulo, Brazil
Time: Starting at 5:00 PM
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Ramadan: What is the Muslim holy month
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
