This Ramadan, on the 27th June, I will be going without food for a day - the money I would have spent on food and as much as I can raise from sponsorship will go to support BRR's fund for destitute asylum seekers.
Compared with the month long fast most Muslims observe I know that this is nothing.
Compared with the hunger and hardship people across the world face daily I know that giving up food for one day is nothing. In fact, having the option of doing so only highlights the privileged position I am in.
However, this year Refugee Week falls in the middle of Ramadan. A key aspect of this fast is the idea of solidarity with those who are hungry. Across the world many refugees find themselves hungry, without food, but also hungry for justice, desperate for a place of safety and welcome.
Bristol Refugee Rights works in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers here in Bristol, offering a place of welcome and safety, along with practical and emotional support.
Among the service offered at BRR is a food-bank for those who have been refused asylum and consequently are cut off from all financial support, while still not permitted to work. Refused asylum seekers are not normally able to access other food-banks as their needs are long-term.
So this Ramadan I will give up food for a day and ask you to sponsor me to raise money to help BRR keep this food-bank well stocked and continue to improve support for people in this position.
More info on BRR here www.bristolrefugeerights.org
Come along to this event - "Info @ Iftar" at Hamilton House on 23rd June at 8pm - to find out more about asylum, ramadan and BRR: https://www.facebook.com/events/1777979235764112/
*disclaimer - I work for BRR, but this money is not for my wages!
