Muslim Community United During Ramadan: A Sign of Hope in COVID-19 Times – Giorgia Rapella (English)

<p><a href="https://theclearevidence.org/">The Clear Evidence</a></p> <blockquote>– <em><strong>Small but vital acts of kindness prove anyone can make a difference</strong></em><strong>.<br> </strong></blockquote> <p>With restrictions and social distancing measures being implemented across Middle Eastern countries, Non-government organisations and charities alike are finding alternative ways to help the less fortunate. As <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/uae/government/uae-charities-to-deliver-iftar-meals-rather-than-serve-them-in-ramadan-tents-1.1006563" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Ramadan tents</a> have been suspended outside mosques, donors have resorted to online platforms to support the community and fulfill their religious offering (<a href="https://www.maainternational.org.au/coming-soon/donation-types/zakah-zakat-al-mal" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Zakat</a>).</p> <p>Nauman Khan, a Pakistani expat, who has been living in Saudi Arabia for the past 10 years, established <a href="https://theclearevidence.org/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The Clear Evidence</a> platform in 2018 with the purpose of raising awareness on Islam practices and fundraising projects. This year alone the website registered a 20% growth in contributions compared to 2019 during Ramadan.</p> <p>“The support has been overwhelmingly positive. Donations have reached an all-time high since many have turned to remote means of offering during lockdown” says Nauman.</p> <p>Other members of his family have also been actively involved within the charity initiatives. For example, his cousin Zeeshan, currently in Islamabad, has been providing food packages to low middle-class families experiencing job losses and income reduction due to the pandemic. Thanks to online donations and help by personal connections, he has been able to provide support for more than 800 households so far.</p> <p>“I could not sleep for days hearing stories of educated people struggling to provide food for their kids. The pandemic