Helping Hand feeds poor in Ramazan

Story by  ATV | Posted by  Aasha Khosa • 1 Years ago
Helping Hand volunteers distributing food in Guwahati
Helping Hand volunteers distributing food in Guwahati

 

Munni Begum/Guwahati

The holy month of Ramazan is not limited to the Islamic community. People from all walks of life, regardless of caste or creed, participate in this religious festival. One such rare pattern can be seen during Saturday Iftar at Rajdhani Masjid and Sijubari Mazar in Dispur, Guwahati. Helping Hand, an outreach program for the poor and needy in different parts of the state distributes cash along with food for iftar among poor people living on footpaths across the metropolis. This group has members from both Hindu and Muslim communities.
 
In an interview with Awaz-The Voice, Helping Hand member Sonali Barai said, "There is no such thing as religion. Human religion is the real religion. We have been helping the needy people from different parts of the state and metropolis, at different times.”
 
https://www.hindi.awazthevoice.in/upload/news/164993458806_'Helping_Hand'_is_giving_true_meaning_to_Ramadan_2.webp
Helping Hand volunteers ready to distribute food Packets
 
Ramazan is a month of sacrifice, forgiveness, and patience. During this, people distribute food, clothes, and wealth among the poor as per their resources. Today in our society iftar, charity (Dakshina) is being offered by many non-Muslims and various organizations during the holy month.
 
Sonali Barai says, “People from both Hindu and Muslim religions are involved in the Helping hand. Our main aim is to spread the message of unity and brotherhood in society. We will never support such debates in the name of religion. Everyone's feelings are the same."
 
He said, "Instead of making this season an enemy, we should move forward by strengthening the energy of brotherhood. We distributed some cash including dates, cabbage, apples, shoes, pakora, biryani, eggs, and water bottles at Iftar.
 
https://www.hindi.awazthevoice.in/upload/news/164993462006_'Helping_Hand'_is_giving_true_meaning_to_Ramadan_3.webp
Helping Hand volunteers in a slum area
 
In November, the Helping Hand group started the distribution of food at Hazor Povamkka, Hayagreeva Madhava Temple, Shuklaeshwar Temple, etc.
 
About Helping Hand, Sonali Barai says, “Since Helping Hand is part of a generous Facebook group, we do not have any deposits. Initially, we had fewer members but now there are around 50 people from Assam and other states. Helping Hand is a group of generous people, irrespective of caste, religion, or caste.
 
The members of this group made up of Facebook stand with people of all religions with their money and are extending their helping hand. The helping hand is distrib