WITH THE GENEROUS DONATIONS RECEIVED FROM VARIOUS DONORS AND ORGANISATIONS, BILAL MUSLIM MISSION OF KENYA WAS ABLE TO DELIVER FOOD PARCELS DURING THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADHAN TO 15 BILAL CENTRES & 11 SHIA INDEPENDENT CENTRES BENEFITTING A TOTAL OF 7752 NUMBER OF FAMILIES
RAMADAN
Every year, Muslims around the world anticipate the sighting of the new crescent moon that signifies the official first day of Ramadan,which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the most sacred month in Islamic culture.
During this holy month, Muslims tend to grow spiritually and build a stronger relationship with Allah by praying and reciting the Quran, making their actions intentional and selfless, and abstaining from gossiping, lying, and fighting.
THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC (COVID19)
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).
The outbreak of the COVID19 started in Wuhan China on December 2019 which has quickly spread drastically worldwide.
With a growing number of cases everyday most countries have introduced a series of sweeping measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus, including nationwide lockdowns, bans on gatherings, closure of schools, restaurants, bars and sports clubs, issuing work-from-home decrees, resulting to a significant number of people facing unemployment.
Inorder to assist those in dire to combat with the global pandemic Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya:
- purchased 10,000 face masks which were distributed to those residing in the rural centres.
- Women from the rural centres also assisted to stitch facemasks which were later distributed in several centres.
- The team called up all the women groups supported by the Bilal Economic Upliftment (EUP) program to immediately embark on making of liquid soap and detergent for wide and free distribution within the community. This is undergoing at several Bilal Kenya centres and hygiene materials distributed.
- Bilal Kenya embarked on fabricating up to a 100 handwashing stations with 100 litre water tanks to be placed at strategic locations like mosques, churches, medical facilities, public bus stands, market places and police stations within the all the communities
OUTREACH:
This year with the generous support and contribution from our donors, Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya organized two rounds of food parcels distribution to 15 Bilal Centres and extended its support to 11 Shia Independent centres. A total of 7752 individual families from the rural centers received family food parcels and an additional 500 food parcels were provided by Jaffer Foundation which were distributed to nearby centres and individuals.The second round of Iftar was distributed due to mosque iftar not being held and most having no income. This was meant to ensure people in the rural centres have sufficient food during the holy month of Ramadan.
The iftar distributed enabled mu’minin to carry on with their fasting and other ibadat with ease.
Contents of a family food parcel:
First Distribution
- 12 Kgs Maize flour
- 12 Kgs wheat flour
- 2 cans x 3 ltrs of cooking oil.
- 2Kg sugar
- 2Kg Rice
- 1Kg Salt
Second Distribution
- 12 Kgs Maize flour
- 6Kg Wheat Flour
- 1 bottle x 1 Ltr of Cooking Oil
- 1Kg Sugar
- 1 Kg Rice
- 500gms Salt
TOTAL TONNAGE OF THE FAMILY FOOD PARCELS DISTRIBUTED WAS:
EFFECTS OF THE RESTRICTICTIONS IMPOSED:
Measures imposed by the government to minimizing the spread of the covid-19 greatly influenced activities scheduled to take place in this holy month. These measures include:
- Bans on gatherings: resulted to cancelling of iftar program at the mosques in the rural centres and distribution of family food parcels in groups.
- Restriction of Movement: since all the 15 BMMKenya centres are located in neighboring couties of Mombasa a ban of movement within major counties was imposed on 7th April 2020 causing a mojor drawback in scheduling of deliveries of family food parcels to the centres as initially intended to take place.
- Capacity of passengers: a ban on owners of private cars not being able to carry more than 50% of passenger capacity of their vehicle was imposed on 11 April 2020. This meant the intended number of staff could not assist during distribution and neither was the media team able to go to the centres for the coverage of the distribution.Special permits were applied for selected staff to conduct movement from one county to another who multitasked the supervision and distribution of Iftar food parcels.
- Suspension of all mosque and other religious gathering: this directive was issued on 20th March 2020. Inorder to adhere to the above directive the Mission suspended all scheduled religious gatherings. In this holy month of Ramadhan Mumineen have been notified to conduct prayers from their homes, with Duas, lectures and Aamals relayed online by the Multimedia team.
BENEFICIARY COMMENTS:
“Salamun Alaykum,
I am a resident of Masongaleni Centre. My name is Juma Chilo. I thank our generous donors for assisting us with iftar during this holy month of Ramadhan and remembering us during this time when we need them most. The ration will enable me provide for my family during this crucial time when the coutry is facing an economic downfall due to the global pandemic – Masongaleni Centre
Salamun Alaykum,
I greatly appreciate the aid that has been brought to us. The Mission has ensured people here receive food parcels in a timely manner. I thank them for the efforts they have put. With most of us unemployed, the food aid is going to be a great support during this holy month of Ramadhan. I now don’t have to let my children sleep on an empty stomach
– Mariam Makame Hamadi, Shimoni Centre
The team of Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya is gratified and appreciates your contribution towards the Mahe Ramadhan Iftar 1441AH Appeal. This Year, we have faced the most testing times distributing food parcels to the most vulnerable and needy families due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, with strict measures & directives in delivering & distribution from the National Government.
Your significant contribution to provide essential food items to our brethren in the rural centres has enabled them observe this holy month with ease. We pray through the Wasila of the Ahlul Bayt (as) that the Almighty provide you with good health, long life and Tawfiqat so that you can continue to serve in His way. Ameen.
Thanking you,
With Salaams and duas.
Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya
May 2020
Prepared By: Faraah Sumar
For more information visit: www.kenbilal.org
Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya
P.O Box 82508 -80100
Tel: +254 222 9641
Mob: +254 735 402711
E-mail admin@kenbilal.org