Ramadan with the homeless

"Feed the hungry, visit the sick and set free the captives."  

~ Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) 

Ramadan is very much a time of giving and what better way than to feed those who do not have the privilege of the daily necessity, food and water.

On Thursday 25th July, a group of friends and I travelled to Manchester Picadilly Gardens to do Iftaar (the Arabic name to describe the time of breaking the fast) with the homeless.

The long table was flooded with food- more than enough to go around. I was doubtful as to whether less food should have been brought, as wastage is something I tend to avoid (especially in Ramadhan), but before we could even lay our own food on the table, queue's had already formed. 

Food being laid by the volunteers 

The homeless were greeting the regular volunteers with smiles on their faces, the atmosphere was warm & the sky was turning a misty red. Not even the greatest poet or literary author can describe the emotions that ran through my mind as I was breaking the fast with the call to prayer. 

If a picture could speak a thousand words... 

Before I broke my fast, I met a woman who was looking interestingly at the ever-growing crowd forming around this large table. I approached her and explained  to her what was taking place. To say she was over-whelmed is an understatement. She reiterated her admiration and love for the work we were doing- especially as it was run by Muslims (who aren't exactly the media's best friend). 
I asked her to return to watch our Maghrib salah being prayed together (the prayer during sunset, prayed directly after we break our fast). Praying Salah in the middle of a public park in the heart of Manchester was nothing more than a privilege. To be able to share a personal moment that I experience to communicate with my Lord was almost heart-warming yet nerve-wracking at the same time. After I got up to leave, the woman I met before came to talk to me, expressing her keen interest and sense of unity about Islam. She was a Methodist coming from Cornwall on holiday, yet felt as though each person - no matter what their faith - should have a connection and understanding with God. 

My highlight of the day wasn't just meeting this woman, handing my food to the homeless or the sense of unity.
Each and everything complimented each other to make the day truly rewarding and worthwhile.

Some say charity begins at home, but most importantly it begins with love, acceptance and understanding.