UK Muslims on Mission to Share Ramadan
“This is to give people a bit of awareness,” Hushiyar Ali, a Muslim who lives in Oldham, told Manchester Evening News on Thursday, June 26.
“People have a lot of pre-judgements about a Muslim lifestyle but this will allow them to come and see that we are normal people.”
Ali and his friends Nanu Miah and Kabir Ahmed, from Westwood, are the brains behind the idea.
Under their Share Ramadan campaign, Muslims will invite friends, neighbors and colleagues to fast for a day which will be followed with sharing a Ramadan iftar, breakfast, meal.
Those participating in the campaign will take a photo together and upload it on Twitter with the hashtag #ShareRamadan.
“We want people to experience what fasting and a Muslim household is really like,” Ali said.
“It can be difficult to explain without living through it.
“It’s a very simple idea and we don’t put any conditions on people. It’s just about sharing the blessing,” he added.
World Campaign
Spreading their word on social media websites, the group has gained likes from as far away as Malaysia and the USA.
“This campaign is not just for the people of Oldham but from all over the world and all walks of life,” Ali said.
“There’s no agenda behind it.
“It’s about showing people it’s not just about not eating for a month but the health benefits of fasting too.”
Britain is home to an estimated Muslim minority of nearly 2.7 million.
Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, will start in the US and European countries on Saturday, June 28, through July 27.
In Ramadan, adult Muslims abstain from food and drink between dawn and sunset.
The sick and those traveling are exempt from fasting especially if it poses health risks.
Fasting is meant to teach Muslims patience, self-control and spirituality, and time during the holy month is dedicated for getting closer to Allah though prayers, reading the Noble Qur’an and good deeds.
A similar campaign has been launched by the American Council on Islamic Relations (CAIR) to urge Muslims to share the holy month with their neighbors.
Source: On Islam
