Our Ramadan program at Islamic Relief ensures food for families in need worldwide. This includes Bangladesh where, within the town of Thakurgaon, many people live in extreme poverty. They struggle to afford food, especially during Ramadan, when they are unable to prepare anything for Suhoor and Iftar, making it harder for them to fast.

Hamida Bewa’s family is one of the rightsholders within this area. She is a 70-year-old who lives with her two adult children, both of whom have disabilities. Her daughter, Omela Khatun, aged 45, cannot speak. Her son, Kolim Uddin, aged 40, is intellectually impaired.

Life in Extreme Poverty in Bangladesh

Hamida’s family struggles to find work. Sometimes, Hamida and her daughter work as domestic help. However, this is nowhere near enough to provide them with a steady income.

“It is so unfortunate that I am dependent on my disabled daughter. Despite her impairment, she works as a domestic help to the neighbours’ house. She washes their dishes and in return, they provide her (with) some food. We share that food and save our lives.

“I become so upset whenever she goes to work. I often cry myself and curse my misfortune. It gives me immense pain and sorrow that I am dependent on my impaired daughter.”

Unable to Afford to Eat

“We are poor. The lives of the poor are always difficult. But my life is even more difficult. Both my son and daughter are disabled. I feel so helpless whenever I think about what their future in my absence would be. Who would take care of them? Who would feed them? It is a terrible test for me. I am a widow and there is no other earning member in my family. I hardly remember when we had three meals in a day.

“We starve most of the time. If we are lucky, we manage two meals. Flood brings distress to everyone. During floods, my daughter cannot go to work and those days we have no choice but to starve.”

“Whatever we are offered from donors, those are our only options. As such we treat ourselves with the food we receive. 

“Sometimes I feel so frustrated remembering our old days. I do not know when I will be able to see my homeland again.” 

Ramadan in Thakurgaon, Bangladesh

“Ramadan is very special. Allah has asked (us) to worship more during this Holy month. But (for) poor people like me who do not have any food for them, it is difficult even to pray. I cannot fast properly because I don’t get enough to eat during sahur.

“We do not get three times meal. It is even difficult for us to collect one meal. We struggle to arrange rice and lentil. We consider ourselves lucky if we manage two meals a day.

“Our regular diet is rice, lentils or vegetables. Sometimes we are blessed when people donate us one or two pieces of fish. We cannot recall when was the last time we had meat. For poor people like us, it is difficult to survive.”

How Islamic Relief Has Helped  

“Islamic Relief is implementing a project titled “SUFOL’’ in our area. I am one of the participants of that project. That’s how I know about Islamic Relief in Bangladesh.

“I was relieved when I received Ramadan food pack from Islamic Relief. I am so thankful. This food pack was a real blessing. I was so worried what we would eat during Ramadan.

“Islamic Relief helped us and made me worry free. They have provided enough food for us. We would be able to fast for a month by eating properly. We would be able to eat food for the whole month. My son will not starve during Ramadan.

“I have nothing more to say except thanking Islamic Relief for their tremendous help. In shaa Allah this year we (will) have no worries for food, and I (will) be able to fast smoothly.”