The Muslim community in Lodwar, Turkana County, through Al Momin Foundation has come to the aid of residents of drought-stricken Turkana North donating foodstuff to more than 250 households. The foundation donated 24 kgs of maize ?our, 17 kgs of maize, 6kg beans and one kg salt to each of the families.
According to Al Haji Salim Naita, the head of the Lodwar Islamic Centre, the foundation donated the relief food to families in the area which has been ignored due to the poor road network. He added the efforts will supplement the ongoing relief distribution currently being undertaken by national and county governments in various parts of the vast county.
“We have decided to come together and support our brothers and sisters during this challenging times,” he said. Area resident expressed gratitude to the organisation for the donation noting that the relief efforts will go a long way to supplement their food reserves.
“We are very happy for the donation by Al Momin foundation. They have proved to be our true friends,” said Jane Akidor, a local resident. Riokomor assistant chief Charles Ekamais thanked the foundation for the aid, noting that the same will bene?t most vulnerable members of the community who bore the brunt of drought and famine.
Maraka Emanman, the youth leader in Turkana North Sub County, thanked the well-wishers for targeting area residents especially the elderly with the relief food. Ewoton Edward, a resident of Riokomor, praised the members of Islamic faith aiding the families, most of who had lost their livestock to drought.
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The relief supplies by the Islamic Community comes at a time when the Muslim Community has started observing the holy month of Ramadhan, in which they are required to assist the needy regardless of their spiritual background.
The county has been experiencing drought since last year forcing about 30,000 pastoralists moved to Uganda in search of water and pasture. Speaking during food distribution in Riokomor in Turkana North, Chief Kadhi Tito Kunyuk said fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and one of the key elements of Ramadhan as Muslims all over the world fast from dawn until dusk.
“Fasting in Islam is a month of modesty, patience, discipline and most of all, generosity,” Kunyuk said.
Meanwhile, the holy month of Ramadhan can only live up to its billing when a good gesture is extended by faithful to the poor through giving. Principally, giving of alms is one of the ?ve pillars of Islam and is at the centre of the holy month. Regardless of their status in society, Muslim faithful are obliged to help the less privileged during and after the 30-day period.
Chairman of the Islamic Preachers of Kenya, Eldoret chapter Sheikh Abubakar Bini says about ten per cent of a Muslim’s wealth should go towards assisting the poor.
“It is our responsibility (as Muslims) to help the poor in provision of housing, food among others. This we should do according to our abilities. It is all about our faith,” Sheikh Bini says.
According to Koran, every Muslim is compelled to fast, a tradition that according to Sheikh Bini, was preached practiced by Prophet Muhammad. “It is a special moment where the swallowing of saliva is not even allowed.
