During Ramadan, a group of Muslim women took it upon themselves to support the Airdrie Food Bank as it assists those in the community struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A $1,000 donation was made by the women of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s Airdrie sector. According to Sairah Khan, a volunteer with the group, the donation was meant as a gift to the community while her and other Muslims marked the end of Ramadan.
“Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar, where all Muslims will fast daily from dawn to dusk,” she said.
According to Khan, Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection and self-improvement. Besides fasting, acts of generosity and charity are key practices during the holy month.
“This is a requirement that our holy book teaches us, and obviously our Prophet teaches us,” Khan said.
At the conclusion of Ramadan, Khan said, Muslims celebrate the festival of Eid ul Fitr, which took place May 24. While they celebrate, Muslims are also to be mindful of those who are facing hardships. Khan said the donation to the food bank was meant to commemorate Eid.
With guidelines in place restricting gatherings during the pandemic, Ramadan looked different than usual, Khan said. Many Muslims were unable to attend mosque for daily congregational prayers and were unable to break their fasts in the evening with other members of the community.
“Eid, obviously, will be a very different concept as well, because it’s a happy, joyous occasion that we celebrate with everybody,” she said. “This year, we will not be able to do that.”
During this unusual Ramadan, performing acts of charity and generosity has lent a sense of stability, Khan said.
This is the second year the women of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Airdrie have donated to the food bank during Ramadan. In 2019, the group donated 400 pounds of food to the food bank.
Because of the pandemic, Khan said she was unable to organize a food drive, and the group chose to make a cash donation instead. Money for the donation was raised through personal contributions from the women. There are around 100 ladies in the local Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, and Khan estimated more than half contributed to the donation.
The group chose the food bank, Khan said, because of the increased need it was facing due to the pandemic. The group also had a pre-existing relationship with the food bank.
“When COVID-19 wasn’t happening, we were regularly volunteering at Airdrie Food Bank,” Khan said. “We have a good relationship with them, and we know how hard it is for people at this time.”
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a sect of Islam founded in 1889 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, who members of the community believe was the messiah.
“It emphasizes the essential teachings of peace, love justice and sanctity of life,” Khan said. “Our motto is ‘love for all, hate for none.’”
Ben Sherick, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @BenSherick
