Fast for Al Sabeen Hospital Yemen

My name is Amirah Akhtar, I'm a convert to Islam.

Having been Muslim for 20 years, I've often felt that we as a Muslim community have a duty to include our non muslim friends, colleagues and loved ones in the Ramadan experience, to share the beauty, so they too can taste the sweetness of Ramadan

The Ramadan Challenge was born from this and incorporates some of the key elements of fasting and giving, providing support to those venturing on this journey for the first time.

Last year, after a light bulb moment, I launched Amirah's Ramadan Challenge 2021. The intention was to invite people to fast one day and to raise money for Yemen. By way of thanks, I would provide an iftar meal. 50 people fasted and £17,500 was raised for this very important cause. The initiative attracted attention of local press and radio.

Part of the Ramadan Challenge's success last year was due to the fact that Liverpool have very close ties with Yemen. We have a significant long established Yemeni community of many generations. Our teachers are from Yemen, I personally knew those overseeing the charity work on the ground, and we received regular updates, which were all vital ingredients to the success of the campaign.

In addition to this, what also attracted funds was the Muslim community interest in observing our non muslim friends, family and colleagues showing solidarity to fast and raise funds for such a cause. Muslims were wanting to encourage and cheer on those who rose to the challenge by donating.

The fund raising platform I used last year, recognised The Ramadan Challenge 2021 as one of the best fund raising efforts in Europe!

It was an incredible experience for everyone.

It proved to be an incredible journey for us all. It was an opportunity for experiential learning, learning about and feeling what it means to fast. It raised awareness for many on what is going on in the world through the media we attracted. It helped to build beautiful relationships and community cohesion. In the school setting, it boosted the confidence and self esteem of the Muslim children and it was very enriching for the school community as a whole.

It was a life changing journey for many, two of the fifty people who fasted became Muslim. It was an absolute honour and privilege to be a part of.

Last year we had a vast array of people taking part, we had school children, teachers, parents including a Head, a vicar, local councillors, a Baker, a professor and MP, to name but a few. The challenge even reached other cities such as Birmingham and Kent. We managed to feed everybody, as a way of thanks for their support. Funds came from as far as the USA!

Local businesses gave support and sisters in the community cooked to feed those fasting.

The Ramadan Challenge 2022 will be targeting its support this year to The Al-Sabeen Hospital.

I've chosen Al-Sabeen because I have close links with the Habibiti team who have been sending funds to Al Sabeen for a long time, and they have close established ties with the hospital and staff. I feel that by sending the money to one place like this, it will have more impact and we again have close ties with those on the ground.

I invite you to come on this journey to take The Ramadan Challenge 2022