With the holy month of Ramadan approaching, the Students’ Union are supporting students observing Ramadan. The Students’ Union have recently provided information on Ramadan in East London and in collaboration with the UCL Islamic Society (ISOC) gave advice on how to support sport’s club members that are observing Ramadan!
As we enter Ramadan, we're exploring the importance of volunteering during this spiritual month. Whether or not you are observing Ramadan there are so many benefits to volunteering including improving your leadership skills, giving back to your local community, supporting others and much more.
Members of the Islamic Society have explained the importance of supporting charitable causes in Ramadan:
What is the role in supporting charitable causes in Ramadan?
Ramadan is the month of worship, gratitude, kindness and service and it is a reminder to take responsibility for our communities. We are reminded that the needy and deprived have a right over us and our wealth and are reminded to fulfil our duties toward them. Charitable acts have a profound impact on both the giver and the receiver, it softens the heart, promotes contentment, it saves lives and transforms communities. It is emphasised in the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah as a means of demonstrating compassion and providing aid to those in need. There are 2 types of charity in Islam- Zakah (compulsory, annual donation) and Sadaqah (voluntary). It is further encouraged to increase in Sadaqah during this month because of the multiplication of reward.
The holy month of Ramadan concludes with an obligatory charity known as Zakat Al-Fitr, a small fixed donation mandated for each household member to ensure inclusivity and unity during the celebrations of Eid. It is a means of purification for the fasting person as well as giving the poor and needy something to celebrate with during Eid Al-Fitr.
“Ramadan is the month of giving and mercy, and in it, Allah blesses the believers with forgiveness and being saved from Hellfire. Therefore, whoever is merciful and giving in Ramadan, Allah will be even more Merciful and Giving and will bestow upon him countless bounties and blessings.” - [Quran, Surah Al Baqarah 2:215]
How can volunteering help you give back during Ramadan?
Overall, in Islam, charity stands as one of the five pillars of faith, and is believed to be one of the best deeds any human can make. What better way to achieve this than volunteering! Volunteering is a form of charity, as volunteering encourages you to give up your own time without expecting anything in return but to improve your local community. This not only builds selflessness but also empathy of others. Whether that is providing meals for the homeless, tutoring underprivileged students, or rallying support for the vulnerable.
How can you volunteer within the month of Ramadan?
Volunteering within the spiritual month of Ramadan can take various forms including one-off opportunities, informal volunteering and donating!
“There are so many good opportunities to just meet new friends, try something new, get active and just get out there! I feel like that's really the best part of volunteering.”
Sarah Nahar Azmi, a 1st year BA Education Studies student, about her volunteering experience with ReachOut.
1. One-off volunteering
Time can be tight whilst being a student and balancing responsibilities but, if you are eager to get involved there a variety of one-off volunteering opportunities to get involved in! Here are some examples:
We are partnered with several organisations who distribute food to the local community. With Muslim Aid's CEO recently saying Londoners are in need of meals, join St John’s Soup Kitchen as a Soup Kitchen & Food Bank Volunteers for a day during Ramadan to help eliminate food poverty in London
Kith & Kids, a charity supporting children and adults with learning disabilities and autism, are looking for volunteers for their Autism Spring Project. Help ensure their members with a learning disability or autism have fun during their Spring holidays between 2nd April to 6th April. Make sure to apply to volunteer before 16th March! Click here to find out more.
2. Informal volunteering
Volunteering can happen in your very own home! Why not volunteer and make Iftar’s for others? You can also help neighbours and community members buy groceries and/or medicine. The list is endless!
“Ramadan encourages us to increase our good deeds and help each other out, and a lot of informal volunteering takes place during this special month. For example, my family and I enjoy cooking and sharing food with others to eat during Iftar, it’s a really wholesome way to bring the community together.”
A student talking about her experience of informal volunteering during Ramadan
3. Donations and fundraising
Do you have any items you don’t want or need anymore? Why not think about donating them to charity shops. Oxfam, the British Heart Foundation and Mind all have shops within a short walk from main campus where you can drop off your goods there. They are particularly looking for clothes, books, and sanitary items. Find the closest shop to you by clicking on the links!
With Zakat being one of the five pillars of faith, donating items and fundraising for charitable causes can be one way of fulfilling this religious duty!
Volunteering beyond Ramadan
We hope that this month can rejuvenate and encourage self-growth within you. If volunteering piques your interest during the month, then why not volunteer long term?
Lifeafterhummus are currently looking for volunteers to help collect surplus food and redistribute food within the local community.
“I love the sense of fulfilment that volunteering brings to me – it is extremely rewarding. I have been coming back since January, and I am always motivated in doing so, as I see the difference I am helping to make. Also, I didn’t expect it, but I have made friends along the way!”
Harinee Shanmugam, MA Law student who regularly volunteered with Lifeafterhummus.
Action Tutoring, a national education charity are looking for Volunteer tutors to help support pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds in Maths or English! Action Tutoring highlight how acts of charity like volunteering to support disadvantaged youth is in line with the principles of giving in Islam, read more here.
Cardinal Hume Centre, a charity supporting individuals living in poverty to reach their full potential, are currently recruiting volunteers to support their Homework Club in in the Spring term, during Ramadan and beyond! Click here to find out more.
If you find Ramadan challenging, that's completely understandable! Remember, you can still contribute and volunteer afterwards. Feel free to browse over 300 active volunteering opportunities across London through our online volunteering opportunities directory!
Don’t observe Ramadan but still want to take part in volunteering? This is a great time to get involved in all these opportunities and give back to the community, whether you take part in Ramadan or not!