At least 7,640 Muslims have received food items from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) to support them ahead of the Ramadan period.

The annual initiative has seen an increase in beneficiaries from 5,300 last year to more than 7,000 this year, reflecting its growing significance and impact on the Muslim community in Ghana.

The food items, which include bags of rice, cooking oil, beans, Maggi cubes, maize, among others, are expected to reach beneficiaries in Accra, Kumasi, Bolgatanga, Wa, and Bawku.

The distribution exercise, which began in Accra, saw about 1,000 Muslim men and women receiving the special packages.

Following a ceremony in Accra, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Ghana, Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Dhakel, expressed gratitude to the King of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi government for providing the food support.

He also thanked President John Dramani Mahama for facilitating the processes required for the embassy to successfully execute the project in Ghana.

Through its implementing partner in Ghana, Markaz Aleawn Alyaqin Humanitarian Service, a local non-governmental organisation, KSrelief has supported thousands of Muslims across the country over the years ahead of the month of Ramadan.

Speaking to JoyNews after the distribution in Accra, the Executive Director of the organisation, Ishmael Mohammed Kamil, expressed appreciation to KSrelief for its continuous commitment to supporting Muslims in Ghana. He noted that the intervention would ease the burden on many fasting Muslims during the sacred period.

“We are really grateful to KSrelief for increasing the food baskets following our appeal. This will significantly reduce the suffering of many fasting Muslims during Ramadan,” he said.

Mr Kamil also cautioned beneficiaries against selling the food items, warning that anyone found culpable would face the full rigours of the law.

He further encouraged beneficiaries to share with vulnerable neighbours, emphasising that sharing is a core value in Islam, especially during Ramadan.

Beneficiaries expressed joy and gratitude for the timely support.

“May Allah bless them. May all that they have spent be replenished many times over. As we have received this, we will also use it to support others,” one beneficiary, Mariam Mohammed, said.

Another beneficiary, Adiza, who travelled from Bawku, described the support as timely and crucial.

“I came all the way from Bawku to receive this food. It will be very important to me during this fasting period. We sincerely thank KSrelief for this support,” she stated.