In a small home in Damascus, Mustafa sits in silence and remembers the warmth of his family gathered around the dinner table, the rich aroma of Kafta and Kawaj filling the air. These dishes, once a symbol of love and tradition, have now become a distant memory.

“I really miss the meat Kafta dish we used to prepare, or the Kawaj dish… Now, none of it is possible,” Mustafa says. “We cook whatever we have.”

Life has changed drastically for Mustafa and his wife, Samiha. Once able to provide for themselves, they now rely on the kindness of others who share what little food they can spare. Like many elderly Syrians, they face Ramadan with hardship and uncertainty instead of abundance.

The United Nations estimates that 90% of Syria’s population lives in poverty, with 16 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.

“No one provides for us… we can’t afford to pay our utility bills,” Mustafa shares. Samiha echoes his sentiment. “We cannot afford even the simplest things.”

Without a source of income, Mustafa and Samiha find themselves vulnerable, their dignity tested daily.

For them, Ramadan is not about abundance—it is about survival.

You Can Make a Difference

This Ramadan, you have the power to bring relief to families like Mustafa and Samiha’s. With your support, they can access the essentials they so desperately need:

• Shelter
• Food
• Medical care
• Cash assistance

“I wish I could pay my debts… and cover our expenses… that’s all I want,” Mustafa confesses, his voice filled with the quiet hope of someone who only wishes for security and peace.

Ramadan is a time of giving, of coming together as a community. Mustafa and Samiha are not alone—they are part of a larger family, a global community that is Connected by humanity and Strengthened by Zakat.

This Ramadan, be the reason a family like Mustafa and Samiha’s finds hope again. Donate Now.