One of the pillars of Islam is charity and there could not be a better time than the Holy Month to consider ways of helping the less fortunate. Throughout Ramadan there are various initiatives you can get involved in; these are some of our local favourites.

Feed A Friend
Active all year round, Feed A Friend’s Ramadan Food Boxes give you the chance to donate a box, priced QR165 from their dedicated supplier, Goodwill. Boxes contain items such as rice, flour, dates, Vimto and sugar and pledgers nominate who they would like them to go to. They are delivered to Feed A Friend for distribution on March 9, or donors can choose to collect them and hand them over themselves.
GO: Visit feedafriend.org/ramadanbox2024 for more information.

Qatar Charity
Each year the country’s own charity carries out initiatives that help millions around the globe, from education to disaster relief. This Ramadan, Qatar Charity offers the chance to provide Iftar to disadvantaged Muslims helping them to break their fast with dignity. Their website explains: “Every moment in Ramadan is significant but the moment of Iftar has a different rewarding feel. Muslims regard Iftar as a gift they receive after a long fasting day gathered around the Iftar table with those they love most. However, millions of Muslim families out there miss out on this feeling because they are poor, displaced, unsheltered or refugees in countries of asylum and they cannot afford an Iftar meal. This Ramadan we are starting a journey of gifting love to the world. We are reaching out to thousands of vulnerable families who cannot afford a basic meal and bringing them together on an Iftar table.”
You can donate Iftar to a needy person for as little as QR20 and it will surely make someone’s day.
GO: Visit www.qcharity.org for more information.

Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS)
This year’s charity initiative from QRCS is operating under the slogan Duty To Give and with expected donations it will implement Iftar projects to benefit around 281,000 people in 19 countries as well as supporting development projects for 1.6 million beneficiaries around the world throughout the year.
Launching the campaign, the organisation’s Acting Secretary General, Faisal Mohamed Al-Emadi, said: “Between vulnerable people who are desperate for a helping hand and benevolent donors who cherish their humanitarian and religious duty, QRCS is building another bridge of giving and compassion. This campaign involves numerous Ramadan-specific and charitable projects for hundreds of thousands of poor and displaced people during and after the Holy Month.”
There are many ways to get involved from volunteering to handout Iftar meals to making goods and cash donations.
GO: Call 4402 7777 for more information.

Family Food Drive
On a more personal note, a group of friends have got together to accept donations of dried foods such as sugar, milk powder, Tang, dates, chickpeas, flour, rice and cooking oil or Al Meera boxes. They will pack up parcels to deliver to those in need in the community. If you would like to help, please contact Nazia on 5535 2624 for Wakra area, Jawairia on 5057 4340 or Lateefa on 6642 4539 for Gharrafa area or Rabia on 5536 4635 for Abu Hamour.
You could also get together with others to provide iftar for the workers in your compound or apartment building. It doesn’t have to be expensive and can make a big difference and show appreciation.