A fresh sense of devotion and thankfulness fills our hearts as we enter the auspicious month of Ramadan. It is a time for introspection, prayer, and most importantly, kindness. We learn endurance, patience, and compassion for people who face hunger and deprivation on a daily basis through fasting. While many of us in Kashmir sit around well-laid tables at Iftar, enjoying a variety of delicacies, there are countless families in our own villages and neighbourhoods who break their fasts with nothing more than a glass of water.
The contrast at Iftar tables
Kashmir’s Ramadan evenings are beautiful. Families assemble around tables laden with a variety of food as the MaghribAzaan to prayer reverberates across the valley. Dates, fruits, firni, sharbat, and a variety of fried snacks like pakoras and samosas are all essentials of Kashmiri iftar plates. The aroma of kebabs, ristas and mutton yakhni fills the air, serving as a reminder of the wealth and warmth we are blessed to enjoy. However, this time of day does not provide the same level of comfort for many families who are poor. Plain water and, if they’re lucky, a slice of bread make up their Iftar. While the rest of us enjoy lavish feasts, some families in our own communities suffer in silence from hunger.
The disparity is stark, yet It often goes unnoticed.
The Reality of Poverty in Kashmir
Kashmir, despite its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, has long been grappling with economic hardships. Many families, especially those who rely on daily wages, find it difficult to make ends meet. The harsh winters, coupled with political instability and unemployment, have left many people struggling for basic necessities. In rural areas and even in bustling towns, there are orphans, widows, and elderly people with no source of income. The month of Ramadan, which should be a time of spiritual renewal, becomes another battle for survival for them.
A Community-Based Approach to Giving
This Ramadan, let’s do something about those in need rather than just wishing them well. Charity starts at home, and starting at the village level is the most effective method to have an impact. Every neighbourhood, mohalla, and region should work together to determine which families require assistance. In addition to individual acts of piety, the spirit of Ramadan emphasizes group responsibility for the people in need.
What if every family in a village give away a tiny amount of their money to support people in need? A needy family can benefit much from a small donation of a box of dates, a bag of aata (flour), some rice, cooking oil, and a pack of dry fruits. Since we buy these things in large quantities for ourselves, why don’t we make sure our neighbours can also get them?
How We Can Organize This Initiative
Identify the Needy: To determine which families are in need, a small committee should be established in each village or mohalla. To preserve their dignity, this can be done in a discrete manner.
Gather Necessary Items: Food items that are necessary for Iftar and Suhoor can be donated in place of cash. Good choices include flour, rice, sugar, oil, dates, lentils, and milk powder.
Make Ramadan Boxes: Every family which is fortunate is welcome to donate a “Ramadan Box” filled with essential foods. A small donation can make a big difference.
Ensure Fair Distribution: In order to provide assistance to the most vulnerable, the gathered items should be dispersed equitably. Community centres or nearby mosques can be used for this.
Promote Sadaqah and Zakat: Those who can afford it should proactively contribute to Zakat, making sure that the worthy receive their just portion.
A Call to Action for a Meaningful Ramadan
Ramadan is not just about personal devotion but also about kindness and social responsibility. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized the importance of feeding the hungry, saying, “He is not a believer whose stomach is filled while his neighbour goes hungry.” (Sunan al-Kubra)
It Is feasible to establish a support network that helps the poor in a region like Kashmir, where community bonds are stronger. Let’s extend our kindness beyond our own tables this Ramadan. Let’s extend it to the households where hardship and hunger exist. A poor family can experience enormous joy from a tiny act of kindness. The real joys of Ramadan are the excitement of a child when he receives a box of dates, the relief of a mother when she doesn’t have to worry about flour for the month, or the appreciation of an elderly man when he gets to have an enjoyable Iftar.
Let us pledge to make this Ramadan not just a month of fasting, but a month of giving, caring, and sharing. May our tables be sources of joy not just for ourselves, but for the entire community!
The writer is a Medical Officer at PHC Shargole
Dr Fazal ul Haq Wani
wa*******@***il.com