GIVING alms, especially to the poor and needy, is central to Islam and is one of the most important teachings in the Holy Quran for Muslims. Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Fiji national president Mahmood Ahmad said during Ramadan Muslim members think about people who are living in poverty and are suffering.

“Every Muslim in the world has to contribute a certain amount of what they earn to the less fortunate during this special time,” Mr Ahmad said.

“Giving alms for us does not only apply within the Islamic community alone, but to other religious communities who need our assistance.

“Every year especially during the period of Ramadan we try to assist as many people as possible. At the moment (Tuesday) we are sending money to those who need it and we were packing items to give to the less fortunate because it’s what Eid is all about.

“We shouldn’t care what religion that person is from, but just look at the level of assistance they need from us. The Holy Quran says to help the poor it doesn’t say to only help those who share the same faith as us.”

He said the organisation had been assisting those in Ba, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and those living within the Suva area and it’s their 11 branches that distributes the alms to those various areas.

“We get information from our branches and they make sure to focus on everybody who needs assistance whether Christian, Hindu or Muslim,” he said.

“We make sure that we send something for people in time for the Eid celebration because we don’t want them to miss out on the important day.

“The gifts that are donated whether in cash or kind are given by the members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat because in return they will receive blessings from Allah as mentioned in the Holy Quran.”