Looking To Cut Waste, Acknowledge Famine, Al-Amal Breaks Ramadan Tradition

is changing the recipe to a fundraiser that brings around $70,000 to the private school annually.

School Board Chair, Zafar Siddiqui, said for several years officials at the school have informally tried to change some of the practices of the fundraiser, but he said “extremely dire famine situation in East Africa was a catalyst in this decision.”

Ramadan fundraising dinners are a staple feature of American Muslim charitable giving; this year, Al-Amal School will trim its actual menu offering.

“Ramadan is supposed to be an exercise in moderation. But in reality, it has become a trend to overeat.” Siddiqui said adding the plan for the fundraiser this year centers around moderation.

So this year’s Aug. 6 fundraiser has been changed to attract positive attention for change. 

“While we plan to donate 50 percent of the admission tickets collection toward famine relief, the main impact we hope to make is to draw attention to moderation in food consumption and conscious attempt to eliminate waste,” he said. “These are the teachings of Islam and we hope to draw the attention of the Muslim community specifically during this month of Ramadan.”

But it seems the Ramadan goals are to recognize blessings and realize thriftiness are commonly set aside when the sun sets, with lavish meals - at home, in local restaurants and community fundraisers - resulting in an economic boom for caterers and restaurants.

At Al-Amal, typically, the Ramadan fundraiser begins with people gathering  just before the fast breaking time (at sunset). After that attendees break fast together and pray together the fourth prayer of the day. Dinner is served after the prayers then the fundraising happens after the dinner for about 30 minutes. After that, people disperse for the last and final prayer of the day.

With charitable giving stunningly abundant for the fundraiser and Muslim organizations racing to capture critical donor revenue, officials at the Al-Amal School hope by voluntarily taking a fundraising hit themselves, it will inspire others to change the waste paradigm. It is a step they hope is not distasteful to potential donors, as other venues will offer more variety and volume.

“If this trend catches on, we will see much less food wastage and Muslims making a positive impact in this discourse. I hope Muslims will take this to the next level by including non-Muslim organizational partners, as well.”

Al-Amal will donate half of ticket sales to famine relief. But while a dollar can go a long way, only change, Siddiqui said, can make a lasting impact.

“It is imperative that we realize that every 3.6 seconds a person dies because of a lack of food,” the board chair said. 

The United Nations World Food Programme speculates a generation of children in East Africa risk severe mental and physical stunting from malnutrition as the famine lingers.

Al-Amal School is an ADvanced (NCA) accredited, pre-K through 12th grade, private Muslim school based in Fridley. It is the only private Muslim school in Minnesota and was founded in 1994.