The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) in Somalia marked this year’s Ramadan by distributing food and volumes of the Quran to detention centres in Somalia. Among the food items distributed were palm dates, meat, sugar, tea leaves and milk.
The holy month of Ramadan is a revered period of reflection, prayer and fasting for Muslims the world over. Muslims observe a daily fast from sunrise to sunset for a period of a month. It’s a period of restraint and concentration on their core spiritual values including charity and the recognition of those less fortunate.
This year’s Ramadan distribution campaign is the third consecutive event having become somewhat of an annual tradition for ICRC in Somalia who ensure detainees remain in the fold during this important religious occasion.
“ICRC’s detention work in Somalia aims to ensure that people deprived of their freedoms are treated with dignity and humanity.” explains Ahmed Zarouq, coordinator of the ICRC protection activities in Somalia.
The Ramadhan distribution is culturally symbolic and builds on ICRC’s detention activities in Somalia.
The gesture is well appreciated by the detainees who now look forward to the occasion.
“Ramadan is a special month and the food will go a long way in helping us observe the fast. I’m glad we haven’t been forgotten.” said Afow Ali, a detainee in Baidoa central prison.
“ICRC has been assisting detainees during the holy Month of Ramadan. This contributes to the well-being of the detainees, particularly, having a proper meal with which to break the fast. I am glad to see how ICRC is concerned with general conditions of the detainees.” reveals Abdul Kadir, the Laascaanood Prison Commander.
Men unloading Ramdan food items off a truck outside a prison in Somalia. Ramadan distribution has become a recurring detention activity for the ICRC in Somalia who ensure detainees are not forgotten during this important religious occasion. © ICRC/Pedram Yazdi
This distribution campaign reached 24 detention centres and prisons across Somalia. Over 6000 detainees are set to benefit from the campaign during this month of Ramadhan.
