Islamic Relief UK are distributing food packs to families across communities in the UK, in its largest ever Ramadan distribution, through 37 food banks, mosques, football clubs and other local organisations.
This comes at a time when Islamic Relief, the National Zakat Foundation and Muslim Census reveal new figures in a report The Crisis of Belonging showing that 63% of British Muslims who went hungry didn’t use a food bank and 95% of British Muslims in financial difficulty don’t ask for help.
The report also shows that nearly 3 in 10 British Muslims struggled with at least one household bill in the past year, with 43% relying on credit cards, family loans, or other borrowing to cover everyday costs.
Many of the food banks working with Islamic Relief have reported that demand has significantly increased and have seen more families reaching out for help due to the increasing cost of living crisis.
The UK is currently witnessing unprecedented levels of poverty and destitution. Communities that have faced more than a decade of austerity, followed by the economic devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, are now being overwhelmed by a cost-of-living crisis that is eroding economic resilience and pushing more households into destitution.
As the holy month of Ramadan begins, Islamic Relief warns that people reluctant to use vital lifelines available for help could be pushed further into poverty.
Nadeem Baqir, Islamic Relief UK Programmes manager comments “This is our largest ever Ramadan food distribution, as the poverty crisis in the UK requires more attention. We’re proud to be working with our UK partners across this country as we work together to help families deal with the cost-of-living crisis.
“It’s also important that we challenge the stigma surrounding poverty, with the alarming news that many in the Muslim community are reluctant to ask for help when needed. There’s no shame in being affected by an economic crisis outside the ordinary person’s control, and we should all reach out to our neighbours and community to check in on people.”
