MICHIGAN – Working for the fourth consecutive year, Michigan’s Muslims have rolled up their sleeves during Ramadan to donate thousands of pounds of food packs, leading their community’s fight against hunger.

“During Ramadan we are fasting and connecting to our spiritual selves,” Maisha Rahman, event coordinator for the Ramadan Fight Against Hunger (RFAH), told The News Herald on Tuesday, June 13.

“A lot of Ramadan is about donating and sacrifice.”

Ramadan is the holiest month in Islamic calendar.

In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.

Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to become closer to Allah through prayer, self-restraint and good deeds.

Around the globe, Muslims observe Ramadan with a set of traditional rituals including family gathering at iftar, religious lessons, special evening prayer and helping the poor, Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Rahman took over as RFAH coordinator this year, setting her goal to exceed last year’s donation, when more than 400 volunteers packed 120,000 pounds of food throughout Southeast Michigan.

Through the month of fasting, Muslims experience the surface level of what it feels like to be hungry, which drives them to chip in.

While handling thousands of pounds of food can be tiresome during this fasting period, Rahman said it is about supporting the local community.

Their first Ramadan Fight Against Hunger event was held on May 27 at Forgotten Harvest. During the event, more volunteers than expected showed up to help.

“You are starving your body and feeding your soul, basically,” she said.

“The physical, tangible part is avoiding food and drink but more importantly we are trying to make ourselves better people during this month.”

This year, RFAH aim to collectively contribute more than 120,000 pounds of food to the statewide fight against hunger.

The Michigan Muslim Community Council has taken the lead in this partnership to coordinate the efforts of Muslim service organizations, mosques, and individuals.

Over 1 million Michigan Residents require emergency food assistance every year.

One in five children in Southeastern Michigan struggle to access the nutritional foods they needs to survive.