By Daniel Maduka
Apprehensive of the likely negative effects which the current economic hardship in the country may exact on many Muslim ummah particularly the less privileged, during this year’s Ramadan billed to commence between March 10 and 11 ,most Northern States authorities have decided to adopt some measures to ameliorate the plights of their citizens, The Source’s findings have revealed.
The annual Muslim Fasting period usually presents, a challenging situation economically to the less the privileged class ,who normally contend with rises in the costs of essential items mostly fruits which serve as appetizers before the breaking of each day’s fasting.
Ordinarily, and in a relatively normal situation in the past, this challenging aspect, as well as other related difficulties were usually attenuated by the government and other public spirited entities and individuals through charity as enjoined by Islamic tenets.
However, checks by The Source ,have shown that while this year’s Ramadan challenges appear likely to be more excruciating, ameliorating measures particularly from philanthropists and wealthy individuals may witness a disproportionate decline owing to current economic realities on the ground.
At the moment , State authorities and perhaps a few established non-state actors will be left to shoulder the task of ensuring a some what seamless fasting period for their less privileged Muslim brethren.
Only on Wednesday February 21, the Kano state government led the charge ,with the inauguration of a Ramadan Feeding Committee, with the mandate to strategize and come up with workable ways for the distribution of food across designated areas of the state during the fasting period.
The State Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdulssalam Gwarzo who inaugurated the Committee in his office, said the programme aims to assist all residents of the state irrespective of political party affiliations.
The Feeding Committee, which is headed by the state commissioner for Religious affairs Ahmad Tijjani Auwal ,is to identity key distribution spots within the 8 metropolitan local councils and the other 36 local government areas of the state ,recommending as well breakfast menus to be served targeted Muslim ummah and individuals deserving of government assistance during the Ramadan period.
The Source findings also revealed that most Northern states notably Jigawa ,Kaduna, Zamfara Sokoto, Katsina and others have keyed into the Kano model with slight modifications in some cases.
In Katsina and Jigawa, some popular mosques and known religious centres will also be used to reach out to targeted people, in addition to some non state actors and organizations.
Similarly ,most states government in the region have gone out of their ways to solicit the assistance the well- to-do and known philanthropists to lend a hand of support .
Kano Ramadan Feeding Committee Chairman Tijjani Auwal ,while assuring of the readiness of the Committee members to deliver ,however appealed for support from philanthropists and other charity organizations.
The Source reports that the present high costs of living and economic meltdown had before now taken its toll on this year’s Hajji operation, with many shelving the trip to the Holy Land . Out of the officially alloted Hajj seats of 5,934 to kano intending pilgrims ,only about 2,300 applications were made as at February 12 when preparations for the exercise were stopped.
