Islamic Relief begins Ramadan with internationally acclaimed Qur’an reciter Sheikh Abu Bakr Ash-Shatri in national tour

As the holy month of Ramadan begins, Muslims all around the globe will be striving to engage in reciting the Holy Qur’an, as well as studying, and reflecting upon, the words of Allah. It is a time of increased worship, devotion and self-discipline. Indeed, it is narrated that the angel Jibreel (AS) used to come to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) every night in this blessed month to study the Qur’an with him (Bukhari).

In honour of this blessed Book of guidance and the coming of this sacred month, Islamic Relief will be hosting the world renowned Qur’an reciter Sheikh Abu Bakr Ash-Shatri on a national tour across the UK during this Ramadan, beginning in Bracknell.

The month of Ramadan is also a time when Muslims commit themselves more to Allah, and give back by helping poor people, assisting the needy and sharing what they have with others.

Islamic Relief launched this year’s Ramadan campaign with the message “For the love of Allah, save a life now”. This is a reminder that one of the principles of Islam is the sanctity of life. The Holy Qur’an declares that “whosoever saves a life saves the whole of mankind” (Al-Ma’idah:32). Hence the campaign message is to “Save a life now” by donating to Islamic Relief.

One way Muslims help save lives is by paying Zakat, where they give 2.5 per cent of their wealth annually to help those who are less fortunate than themselves. Last year alone, Zakat donations enabled Islamic Relief to save lives by supporting people and communities living in disaster and war zones: drought and famine-struck countries across East Africa; communities affected by conflict in Yemen; and families in war-torn Syria struggling to survive one day to the next.

Sheikh Abu Bakr Ash-Shatri, said:

“Alhamdulillah we have reached the month of Ramadan, a month of fasting and worship. It’s the time of the year when we increase in devotion to our Lord by constantly engaging with the Qur’an and increasing in our charitable acts at a time when the reward of every good action is multiplied by ten times its value, up to 700 times.

“I am honoured to support the lifesaving work of the largest Islamic faith based charity in the UK and I look forward to visiting the grassroots of the UK Muslim community with Islamic Relief. I would encourage the UK Muslim community to take advantage of every minute and every second of this glorious month that will, spiritually, bring you closer to Allah SWT and support the less fortunate around the world through Islamic Relief.”

Islamic Relief Deputy Director, Tufail Hussain, said:

“We are excited and honoured to have one of the world’s best known Qur’an reciters – Sheikh Abu Bakr Ash-Shatri with us during the month of Ramadan, which is also the month when The Holy Qur’an was revealed to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW). This national tour with Sheikh Ash-Shatri reaffirms our commitment and appreciation for our community and the mosques that continue to support the lifesaving work of Islamic Relief up and down the country. Our community will, not only, benefit from the spiritually uplifting recitation of Sheikh Ash-Shatri, but will also have the opportunity to get involved in saving lives around the world ‘For the love of Allah’. I am confident that, in this Holy month of Ramadan, our community will give generously like they have in the past and enjoy, what’s going to be, a memorable Qur’an tour with Sheikh Abu Bakr Ash-Shatri.”

ENDS

For more information please contact Hasina Momtaz, Media Relations Manager at Islamic Relief UK, on 020 7593 3232, email [email protected] / Sultan Ahmed, Media Coordinator, on 020 7593 3217, email [email protected] / James Tweed, Media Coordinator, on 020 7593 3219, email: [email protected]

Notes for Editors 

• Islamic Relief is an international aid and development charity that aims to alleviate the suffering of the world’s poorest people in more than 30 countries, mainly in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. As well as responding to disasters and emergencies, Islamic Relief promotes sustainable economic and social development by working with local communities – regardless of race, religion or gender.
• Sheikh Abu Bakr Ash-Shatri is a world renowned Qur’an reciter of Yemeni descent. With a critically acclaimed unique and soothing style of recitation, Sheikh Abu Bakr Ash-Shatri has received invitations to lead prayers at mosques and headline as a reciter for Islamic events and conferences all across the globe. Imam at the Al-Furqan Masjid in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abu Bakr Ash-Shatri has dedicated his years unifying the hearts of the people towards serving Allah (SWT) and as a staunch advocate for all acts in service to humanity.
• The national tour takes place in Bracknell, Exeter, London, Preston, Keighley, Manchester, Bradford, Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Maidenhead, Swindon, Brighton, Leicester and Huddersfield. Full details can be found here: https://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/the-month-of-quran-with-sh-abu-bakr-ash-shatri-ramadan-tour/
• Donors can support Islamic Relief’s Zakat projects by pledging funds towards one of the following price packages:
  • £120 can provide safe drinking water to three families
  • £225 can feed five families for one month
  • £310 can provide a family with a lifesaving emergency kit