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Ramadan: Over 5 000 food baskets distributed to South Africans
With the rising inflation and repo rate, putting food on the table during Ramadan has become a costly exercise for the poor.
Saudi Ambassador to South Africa Sultan bin Abdullah Al-Anqari handing over a food basket. Photo: Supplied
As the month of Ramadan approaches the halfway mark, humanitarian organisations including the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) have come to aid Muslims in South Africa distributing over five thousand hampers to assist them during the month of fasting.
The month of Ramadan in South Africa officially started last week Thursday with Muslims beginning the first fast on Friday.
With the rising inflation and this week’s repo rate, putting food on the table has become a very expensive exercise, especially for the poor and less fortunate.
Ramadan food basket
The KSrelief inaugurated the Ramadan Food Basket project in South Africa for the year 2023 on Friday.
The distribution was coordinated in the presence of the Saudi Ambassador to South Africa Sultan bin Abdullah Al-Anqari, the representative of the Scholars Association in South Africa, and a team from the KSrelief.
Cities benefitted
The project aims to distribute 5 924 food baskets with each basket weighing 34 kilograms.
The baskets contain basic foodstuffs, benefiting 35 544 people in several cities including Johannesburg, Rustenburg, Kimberley, Hectorspruit, Middleburg, Bela-Bela, and Limpopo.
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The aid comes within the relief and humanitarian efforts undertaken by the Kingdom through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief, to provide food security in many countries worldwide.
Date distribution
Last month, at least 23 tonnes of luxury dates benefitting about 70 000 Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan were distributed globally, in South Africa, and surrounding countries across the African continent.
Ramadan
During Ramadan, Muslims worldwide usually break their fast with a date or a glass of Zam Zam water from Makkah in Saudi Arabia followed by some savouries, a meal, and sweet delicacies after the night prayer at the mosque.
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk usually having a predawn meal before the fast begins.
Once the fast starts, Muslims are not allowed to eat a morsel of food or even take a sip of water until sunset when they break their fast.
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