Ramadan:Apatira Treats Fasting Muslims To Sumptuous Meals, Assorted Fruits

Mubarak Ajala

In adherence to one of the hadiths of Prophet Muhammed  (saw) which says, “He is not a (true) believer who eats his fill while his neighbor remains hungry by his side”, Executive Chairman of Itire-Ikate Local Council Development  Area, Hon. (Dr) Ahmed Apatira is treating fasting Muslims in his district to variety of sumptuous meals and assorted fruits to break their fast.

The provision of meal to fasting Muslims and soul-lifting sermon by seasoned Islamic clerics, he stated, are central to his administration, as they are intended to make Ramadan fast memorable, spiritually rewarding and stress free for fasting Muslims, especially the less privileged.

So far under the free iftar (meal) project, thousands of Muslims are expected to be catered for by the end of the Ramadan fast.

Commenting on the religious act, he said, “Ramadan is the fourth of the five pillars of Islam. And as Allah says in the glorious Quran, He alone has the reward for fasting but as Muslims, it is incumbent on us to take advantage of the month to engage in religious  acts to seek the pleasure of Allah.

So I will say, the desire to earn the pleasure and blessings of Allah during this holy month is our motivation.

Apart from being one of the religious acts that is enjoined on Muslims, provision of meal during the period of fasting is core to my administration.

Initially, the iftar project started with provision of meal for about 250 people. But the number keeps increasing annually as the year goes by.

 And we are happy about the turnout and especially for being partakers in the highly rewarding religious act. So, I pray almighty Allah accept it from us as an act of worship.”

Speaking on the importance of Ramadan fast, he said behind the religious act is a story of perseverance, sacrifice and moral and spiritual cleansing.

He added, “One of the teachings of Ramadan fast is sacrifice. It teaches sacrifice, perseverance and spiritual and moral cleansing beyond lip service.

It is the pathway to redemption for all creatures. So, it is beneficial for us as Muslims to enjoin good and also extend goodness to fellow Muslims before, during and after the fasting season for it helps strengthens bonds and builds trust between givers and the receivers.

We must make charity a daily habit and Allah will surely reward us for doing so.

Since the commencement of the iftar project, the feedback has been encouraging and this has given us the confidence and motivation to do more. We are hoping that before the end of the Ramadan, the number of beneficiaries of the free meal initiative will surpass the achievements of previous years” the council boss said.

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