"The action organized by the activists of the Council of Ukrainian Muslims increases the scale" — Seyran Aryfov

Activists of the Council of Ukrainian Muslims started a campaign to distribute pilaf to the in need and the poor half a year ago. Every week, Muslims fed more than a hundred people in Odessa for free.

After a short break during the blessed month of Ramadan, the volunteers of Odesa ICC "Al-Masar" resumed the distribution of food, increasing the quantity of portions.

On the day of Eid al-Fitr, the mosque activists decided to prepare even more food to feed the maximum number of people.

In honour of the holiday, along with the traditional pilaf, a selection of sweets was offered. In total, about 340 portions were distributed.

According to the director of the Odesa ICC, Hamza Isa, the distribution used to start with 70 portions: a third was for the mosque parishioners, a part for neighbours, and a part for the in need and displaced persons. Telling about this on the Facebook page of the ICC “Al-Masar”, he mentions the verse of Surah Al-Insan:

"And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive" (Qur'an, 76:8).

According to Seyran Aryfov, president of the Council of Ukrainian Muslims, such a manifestation of charity best demonstrates the depth and beauty of Islam:

“The action, organized on the initiative of volunteer activists of the Council of Ukrainian Muslims, increases its scale. Despite all the difficulties, Muslims of Ukraine support and implement the ideas of spreading charity. Especially regarding the vulnerable strata, that found themselves in a difficult financial situation. By the will of the Almighty, almost four hundred people in need have been fed. Alhamdulillah, I am happy about this!”

For several dozen people, there was no pilaf during the festive event. In order not to leave them without anything, the organizers decided to give each of them 200 hryvnias.

“We were amazed by the number of people who came to get food on the day of the holiday. There were more than 340 of them - even for the organizers it was unexpected. And there were not enough portions, although there is usually some left over for our parishioners. Therefore, we gave out 200 hryvnias each so that everyone could buy food and not leave empty-handed. They came early in the morning and stood in line. But, by the grace of the Almighty, Alhamdulillah, everyone was satisfied,” says Hamza Isa.