‘Rise in Muslim households’ looking for Ramadan food assistance

Fuel, energy, and food price increases have struck individuals from all walks of life, with inflation at a 30-year high. The Trussell Trust, which administers more than half of the UK’s food banks, distributed 2.1 million food packages in 2021-22, with more than 830,000 going to children. This Ramadan marks the first time in two years that Muslims have been free to break their fasts with others; most Covid restrictions have now been lifted.

Inflation is at a 30-year high, thanks to increases in gasoline, energy, and food costs. The Trussell Trust, which operates more than half of the UK’s food banks, distributed 2.1 million food packages in 2021-22, with more than 830,000 going to children. This Ramadan is the first in two years that Muslims have been free to break their fasts with others; most Covid restrictions have now been lifted.

Arshi Begum, who lives in East Ham, east London, with her husband and six-month-old son, visits her local food bank on a monthly basis to get necessities like basmati rice, chapati flour, and meat, as well as milk and diapers for their baby.

“If it weren’t for food banks, I wouldn’t have any food to break my fast, other from the water some days,” she tells the BBC.

“By using the food bank, we save at least £100 every week, which we can put towards other necessities.”

Arshi and her husband were forced to leave their house and are now living in communal housing.

They both work, but after paying their rent and household expenditures, they claim to have little money left over for meals.

“We were living in our own house last Ramadan, and we had three dishes for [our iftar supper],” she explains. “It’s all a dream now.”

Several local organizations have told the BBC that Muslim customers have increased their demand for their services this Ramadan. The National Zakat Foundation, which gives zakat – a charity payment Muslims must make each year to Muslims in need across the UK, reported receiving 1,746 applications for assistance during Ramadan, up from 1,053 at the same time last year. The organization Islamic Relief has reported a comparable demand for its services, with Muslim households receiving necessities such as beef, rice, and flour.