This Thursday 20th 2009, Sadiq Khan, MP Minister of State in the Department for Transport, will be joining Muslim Aid in the launch of it's 24th Ramadan campaign to help both remember and raise funds for some of the poorest people in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Europe.
The "What will you give this Ramadan" campaign hopes to be even more successful than last year's, which raised an incredible £2.3 million, despite current fears that the recession will cause donors to feel a pinch in their pockets.
Chairman of Muslim Aid, Sir Iqbal Sacranie said "This year Muslim Aid is not just asking people to donate as much as they can but to also give their precious time, through volunteering and prayers for a brighter future for the poor - over three billion people - who live on less than $2.50 a day".
Last year the Zakat, Sadaqa and Zakat-ul-Fitr received from donors provided a lifeline to thousands of people during Ramadan. The amount of £648,500 has been allocated to our Ramadan programme this year to provide meals and food packages to people in over 54 countries. It will enable some of the poorest people across the world to enjoy the blessings of the holy month of Ramadan by having a hearty Suhoor (closing of fast) or a nourishing Iftar (breaking of fast).
This year Muslim Aid hopes to build on the success of "Feed the Fasting 2008" and help families in the world's poorest countries including Sudan, Palestine, Iraq, Pakistan and Bosnia, to have a peaceful Ramadan.