Continuing an annual tradition of feeding for Muharram, which is the first calendar month of the Islamic New Year, Muslims were encouraged to extend their generosity to not just to family and
friends but to mosques, communities, welfare and charity organisations across South Africa, to feed 264 184 people over the July month-end weekend.
Moulana Vanker spokesperson for Muslims For Humanity (MFH), which coordinated the outreach programme, explained that this initiative began in 2020 in KwaZulu-Natal when 50 000 meals were distributed by a group of organisations. In 2021, it became a national event.
“In 2021, Muslims for Humanity coordinated a nationwide feeding programme with the help of NGO’s, Masjids, welfare and charity organisations across South Africa and set out to feed 100 000 people in one day. The overwhelming support from all facets of the community saw the initiative reach a total of just over 175 000 people being provided with a warm meal,” he said.
This year, the project exceeded their target of 250 000 meals.
A week preceding the 28 July, MFH began coordinating the fundraising for the project, in readiness for the cooking which began the day before meals were distributed. The average pot of food costs R2 500 and each pot feeds 120 people.
According to Moulana Vanker, food was prepared and cooked at multiple sites and in different areas. Distribution was prearranged between all the organisations taking part and focused on areas
with informal settlements, where the need is often greatest. Well-planned logistics ensured that there was no overlap and that a maximum number of people in need where reached.
As in previous years, the coordination, logistics and support provided by MFH formed the backbone for the network, allowing it to spread out and ensure that there is efficient and accurate distribution to key areas and communities, he said.
Over the course of two days, meals were distributed efficiently across the country, and coordinated to ensure there was no overlap.
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Organisations that are took part this year included Radio 786, Radio Al-Ansaar, Caring Sisters Network (CSN), Al Fidaa Foundation, SANZAF, Estcourt Islamic Centre, WeFeedSA, Food Aid Foundation, Caring Women’s Forum Pretoria (CWF), Natal Memon Jamaat (NMJ), Tiny Steps, IMAN NPC, Community Relief Foundation, Garden Social Services, Phoenix Advice and Dawah Centre, Selfless Souls, Naklistan, Verulam Young Muslim Society, Humanitarian Development Alliance SA (HUDA SA), Chatsworth Islamic Forum, Musjid Soofia, Musjid Soofie Subhani, Newlands East Musjid & Madressa, Ladysmith Dawah Centre and SADICS Welfare to name a few.
