During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims worldwide abstain from food and drink during daylight hours, to reflect on their blessings, and think deeply on the struggles of those less fortunate.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
So it was in Wollongong on Tuesday night, as members of the Illawarra's Islamic community sat down to an iftar dinner at the Wollongong Homeless Hub.
Local Muslims provided a traditional iftar - the evening fast-breaking meal - of lentil soup, dates, chickpeas, rice, meat and salad to a group of about 30 homeless men, women and children.
Islamic custom states followers should not take credit for good deeds during Ramadan, but a member of the Islamic Society of the Illawarra - who asked not to be named - said the holy fasting month was an important time to care for others in the community.
"Ramadan is a time you need to make sure your neighbours are not hungry," he said.
"We fast so that we, whether rich or poor, can understand how other people feel."
Food was bought and prepared by the Islamic Society and Bilal Mosque at Cringila.
Julie Mitchell, manager of the Homeless Hub, said the idea for the dinner had come out of an event organised by the Illawarra People for Peace.
"We asked if there was any food left over from their dinners, and could they bring it to the hub. But then they said they would make us dinner instead."
