From the Desk of Imam Mahdi Bray: Ramadan Reflections on World Hunger

WASHINGTON, DC - Sept. 13, 2007 (MASNET) We at MAS Freedom (MASF) would like to take a moment to extent our warmest Ramadan greetings to the community. As we pass through this sacred month of Ramadan, let our hearts turn to those who are living in war zones, under oppression, and suffering silently, every single day, in poverty and hunger.



Let us also reflect more deeply on the true meaning of Ramadan; that time when we are are reminded that all Muslims are enjoined by our Creator to abstain from all eating and drinking during daylight hours. This month of fasting and spiritual reflection brings us closer to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and more attuned to the needs and suffering of other human beings.



Indeed, we experience the temporary discomfort of hunger and thirst each day, but the magnitude of chronic hunger in our world is truly staggering.



Consider, if you will, the following disturbing statistics:



· One in twelve people in the world is malnourished.



· Every year, 15 million children die of hunger - or more than 41 thousand a day.



· Nearly 1.3 billion human beings live on less than one dollar a day, while about 3 billion struggle to survive on less that $2 a day.



· A human being dies of hunger every 3.6 seconds.



· To satisfy the world’s sanitation and food requirements would cost only $13 billion dollars-about what the people of the United States and the European Union spend on perfume, each year.



Closer to home, right here in the United States, the wealthiest nation, some 37 million children live poverty line.



Additionally, the United States ranks only 23rd among industrial nations in child mortality.



Ramadan, to be sure, is a time of hunger for Muslims living in a suffering-and starving-world.



MAS Freedom, together with individual activists, are responding to the needs of our neighbors by supporting food pantries and soup kitchens in our communities, not only during Ramadan, but throughout the year. This is an example of meeting the 'neighborly needs' mentioned in Surah Al-Ma’un and incurring the favor of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala through charity and generosity.



"Do you see one who denies the Judgment (to come)? Then such is the (man) who repulses the orphan with harshness, and does not encourage the feeding of the indigent. Woe to the worshippers who are neglectful of their prayers, but refuse (to supply) (even) neighbourly needs." (Translation of the meaning.)



We encourage all Muslims, and all people of faith and conscience, to show compassion and charity to the poor and homeless.



It is important that we work together toward transformation of the domestic and foreign policies of the United States to insure that every human being on our planet enjoys the basic human right of freedom from hunger.



May our Lord accept our fast and sacrifice, and may He bring us closer to him through service to humankind.



Please also note that postal stamps commemorating the two Eids, Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha, can be purchased at your local post office or online here. Eid stamps may also be ordered by calling 1-800-STAMP-24.



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