Winnipeg Muslims focus on giving as Ramadan begins

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This article was published 28/02/2025 (581 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg Muslims may have begun fasting for Ramadan but their minds are on others who may be hungry.

Three city groups are among 45 Islamic organizations across Canada participating in the #FastFeed Ramadan Food Bank Campaign to Combat Hunger.

The campaign, launched by the Canadian Council of Imams, is being supported by the Islamic Social Services Association, the Canadian Muslim Women’s Institute and the Manitoba Islamic Association.

The campaign, which also uses the name Give 30, will take place during Ramadan from Friday to March 29.

During Ramadan, Canadian Muslims are encouraged to donate to support food banks in their home communities as part of the religious obligation to give to charity during their holy month.

For Islamic Social Services Association executive director Shahina Siddiqui, supporting the campaign makes sense for Muslims since they understand what hunger feels like while fasting for the month.

“From dawn to dusk we don’t eat or drink anything,” she said, adding its important to support food banks because of rising levels of food insecurity in Manitoba and Canada. “It helps us develop a sense of empathy for those who feel hungry every day of the year.”

Her organization will be using social media and an e-mail newsletter to encourage local Muslims to donate to support Harvest Manitoba.

“People can decide how much they might have spent on a meal, then donate that much,” she said.

Participating in the campaign is consistent with Muslim values, said Hakim Ghulam, chair of the board of the Manitoba Islamic Association.

“During Ramadan, Islamic values of charity and social responsibility are highlighted,” he said, adding the Islamic religion teaches “the values of empathy, sacrifice and charity, values that can help combat hunger.”

The Islamic association has partnered with Harvest Manitoba in the past to collect food during Ramadan, he said, adding they also work with the Canadian Muslim Women’s Institute to provide hampers to families in need along with cooked meals for students, seniors and families. The campaign is an extension of what they’re already doing, he said.

The executive director of the Council of Imams said feeding the hungry is a great act of charity.

“With so many Canadians experiencing hunger, it is our collective moral duty to ensure that none of our neighbours go to sleep hungry,” said Imam Sikander Hashmi, whose organization unites more than 100 Imams and Islamic religious leaders across Canada.

The cost-of-living crisis and potential impact of cross-border tariffs makes it more crucial than ever to support food banks in Canada, he continued.

Food Banks Canada says there were over two million visits to food banks last year. In Manitoba, more than 50,000 Manitobans use food bank services every month.

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.

People who want to participate in the #FastFeed campaign can donate to their local food bank through give30.ca.

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