Tareq Rayan, an Islamic Relief aid worker in Gaza, understands firsthand that our generous supporters are sparking hope among Palestinian families pushed to the brink of survival. Looking back at Ramadan 2024, he recalls the challenges and the impact of distributing desperately needed aid while under bombardment and siege.

For years, I have participated in distributing Ramadan food parcels, vouchers, and hot meals to people fasting in Gaza. This task has become an integral part of my life. One that not only allows me to help those in need but also gives me a feeling of deep happiness and joy when I see smiles lighting up the faces of children, women, and families receiving our aid.

Every year, the team begins our preparations in Sha’ban (the month before Ramadan in the Islamic calendar), when we assess the needs of the fasting people, analyse the market, and organise the distribution process according to the situation on the ground.

It is a familiar process we follow every year. But Ramadan 2024 was entirely different.

At the beginning of Ramadan last year, Gaza was being devastated by brutal bombardment and siege. Ruin surrounded every corner, airstrikes echoed every breath, and the destruction of homes was relentless. Amid this tragic reality, the suffering of those fasting was even more intense.

Displaced families didn’t know where to go, encountering hunger and thirst everywhere. Children, eyes still full of innocence, were wondering how they would get a meal among all this chaos. Women and older people had no idea how they would find an iftar or suhoor meal, and no clue how they might get water under such harsh conditions.

The challenges were greater than ever before. How would we provide iftar meals amid so much fear and difficulty? How would we reach areas full of displaced people without exposing ourselves to danger? Resources were scarce and securing everything we needed was difficult, but we had an unwavering determination to help. We did not retreat in the face of such difficulties, instead deciding to find innovative solutions. We took advantage of community kitchens in safe areas and began collaborating with local bakeries that were still operating to distribute bread and provide hot meals to shelters. Despite the limited resources, we worked hard to provide as much support as we could.

It was not easy. Reaching many areas required strenuous efforts amid increasing risks. But every time we distributed a meal and reached a new area we saw the impact of what we were providing in the eyes of those we helped. The words of thanks and the prayers from the people warmed our hearts and renewed our hope. Those moments reminded us of the true meaning of giving.

In the last weeks of Ramadan, we faced even bigger challenges. The number of displaced families had reached huge numbers, and each day brought more worry. Our food parcels were urgently needed – we knew that they brought fresh hope to the many families who depended on them. With each family we saved from hunger, we felt the great responsibility that lay on our shoulders, yet the spirit of cooperation and solidarity among us strengthened our resolve.

A beam of light in the darkness

In the midst of the violence and destruction, our mission was to be there for those in need and those fasting; to be their support. Our distributions were not just about providing food, they were a symbol of hope and our shared determination to survive. Our goal was to preserve people’s dignity when they had lost even the smallest hope for their future. The meals we provided were more than just food; they were a reminder to families in Gaza that there were people all around the world who cared about them, and that hope still existed.

Ramadan 2024 was like a beam of light in the darkness, reflecting the highest levels of humanity. Life was full of challenges and difficulties, but collective work helped us overcome them – in fact, it was the only way to overcome them. Amid suffering, giving and solidarity became the only way out.

And despite these difficult circumstances, there were some unforgettably happy moments that will forever remain in our memory. Moments when children in tents smiled at us despite everything they were facing, moments when older people raised their hands in prayer for us as we gave them food and water at a time when others could not help them. Those moments were the strongest reminder of the true meaning of humanitarian work, and that giving is not only done through money, but through will and solidarity.

Humanity and resilience in every meal

Ramadan 2024 was different from any other Ramadan, but it was full of opportunities to provide support in the hardest of times. We became more convinced than ever that charitable work never stops and that we are all responsible for caring for one another in times of need.

By God’s grace, we were able to bring smiles to the faces of those in Gaza who so desperately needed them. Ramadan 2024 embodied solidarity, hope, and humanity in their purest forms. While war sought to destroy everything, the values of humanity and resilience were manifested in every meal and in every moment.

As we mark Ramadan 2025, the challenges continue. The circumstances have not changed – Gaza is still suffering, and families are still in desperate need of support and assistance. In the first few days of Ramadan Israel cut off all supplies into Gaza including food, medicine, fuel and now electricity – making life even harder for families here.

However, from all our previous experiences, we have become stronger and more determined to continue charitable work without any pause.

This year’s Ramadan is as challenging as the previous one, but we will not stop. We will strive to find innovative solutions, cooperate more with our partners and related institutions, and enhance our ability to reach areas that are difficult to access. We will provide food parcels, vouchers, and hot meals to fasting people in need, and we will work hard to secure water and dates, which are among the simplest yet most necessary items families need during the holy month.

Our faith in solidarity and hope is unwavering. We are here to prove that giving is not only tied to resources, but to each heart that beats with good intentions and humanity. We will continue our work with all the strength we have, and we will do our utmost to send a message of hope to all those who are suffering.

Please help us to continue this vital work supporting families enduring great hardship in Gaza. Donate to our Palestine appeal today.