Islamic Relief UK and FareShare UK join hands to provide food to vulnerable communities after Eid al-Adha

Islamic Relief UK teamed up with FareShare, the UK’s biggest charity fighting hunger and food waste, to provide food and essential items for thousands of people on Thursday 14 July. Families across the nation continue to be impacted by the rising cost of living and Islamic Relief UK aimed to provide a helping hand after the religious celebration of Eid al-Adha.

The distribution formed part of a wider scheme organised by Islamic Relief UK with the support of 19 partners across the country who will actively distribute essential items and food as part of the Islamic holy month.

Eid lasts for a period of three days – starting on the 10th day of the holy month of Dhul Hijjah when Muslims donate Qurbani (1), meat to those in need and are encouraged to share food with neighbours.

More than seven million people (2), including 2.6m children, are currently experiencing food insecurity, or skipping meals in the UK. And more than three quarters of the 10,000 charities and communities groups which FareShare redistributes food to, say they are seeing increased demand because of the cost of living crisis. According to figures from Muslim Census (3), 50% of Muslims are living in poverty in the UK, a proportion almost 5x higher than other groups. Furthermore, 70% of Muslims have either had their household expenses increase or stay the same.

In May 2022 (4), the annual rate of inflation was the highest it has been since 1982, affecting the affordability of everyday items for households.

Michael Shields, Commercial Manager at FareShare, said: “We are grateful to Islamic Relief UK for their support in donating halal meat to communities across the UK. This will provide welcome nutritious meals to many families who are struggling to get enough to eat.”

Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK said: “The rate at which the cost of living crisis is impacting an increasing number of people in our community is alarming. FareShareUK have already been a lifeline for thousands and it is an honour to continue working with them in the fight against hunger and food waste.”

Many people have been hit hard by the cost of living crisis, especially low-income families, those suffering from domestic abuse, people who are homeless, asylum seekers and refugees. They continue to make difficult decisions between feeding themselves and their families or heating their homes.”

For any questions or to request to interview one of our spokespeople, please contact: · Saeedah Haque: 020 3148 3217;

1. Qurbani means sacrifice. Every year during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims around the world slaughter an animal – a goat, sheep, cow or camel – to reflect the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail, for the sake of God. In 2022, Qurbani distributions will aim to reach more people than ever before. After the animal has been sacrificed, its meat is then distributed to those most in need.

FareShare is the UK’s biggest charity fighting hunger and food waste. We take good-to-eat surplus food from across the food industry, sort it in our regional warehouses across the UK, and pass it onto a network of nearly 10,000 charities and community groups. These include food banks and pantries, hostels, refuges, community centres, older people’s lunch clubs, school clubs and hospices. Two thirds of the organisations we provide food to, support children and families. During the last financial year, 2021-22, FareShare redistributed the equivalent of nearly 130 million meals – that’s 4 meals every second.

Islamic Relief is a faith-inspired, development and humanitarian agency working to transform and save the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in over 40 countries. Islamic Relief assists people according to need and does not discriminate in any way.

Set up in Birmingham in 1984 by a group of volunteers, we have assisted over 117 million people all over the world. We’re saving lives and empowering people to lift themselves out of poverty in over 40 countries – from Bangladesh to Bosnia, Pakistan to Palestine, Kenya to Kosovo. Islamic Relief is on the ground in some of the world’s most dangerous and difficult places – including Syria and Yemen – strengthening the most marginalised communities to withstand conflict and natural disasters and to build a brighter future. We also support vulnerable people in the UK in partnership with local charities and organisations.