NYC Ramadan Charity Will Support Asylum Seekers with 40,000 Iftar Meals

Imagine waking before dawn in a new city for Ramadan. That was reality for NYC asylum seekers. But before sunrise, Ramadan charity in NYC arrived. Afrikana volunteers brought a comforting Suhoor. Picture warm jollof rice and chicken stew, a taste of home. This pre-dawn meal was vital for their day-long fast. It offered community and care before sunrise in NYC. Let’s explore this Ramadan support for asylum seekers. We’ll highlight Suhoor’s importance and the inspiring efforts in New York City.

Related: Ramadan Giving Guide: Top Products for Charity-Focused Purchases

A Morning of Nourishment and Solidarity

One by one, the residents of the shelter approached the Afrikana van, their faces etched with a mixture of anticipation and gratitude. They collected their warm plate, along with a thoughtfully prepared bag of toiletries, a small gesture of care that extended beyond mere sustenance. Some returned inside, seeking the quiet of their temporary rooms. Others lingered, finding solace and camaraderie as they leaned against the building’s wall, sharing the meal with friends, their conversations a gentle murmur in Arabic, occasionally interspersed with Spanish, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of those seeking refuge.

This early morning food distribution is a testament to the dedicated efforts of Afrikana. Their volunteers and staff have been at the forefront of assisting the growing number of asylum seekers from African countries who have arrived in New York City. While official figures on the exact number of Muslim asylum seekers currently under the city’s care remain elusive, New York City is home to a significant Muslim population, estimated to be around 769,000 individuals. Recognizing the unique needs of this subset of the asylum seeker community, Afrikana has embarked on an ambitious mission: to serve over 40,000 Iftar and Suhoor meals to Muslim asylum seekers residing in the city’s shelters throughout Ramadan.

Salim Drammeh, a key figure in Afrikana’s operations, explained that their team has been delivering more than 1,000 meals each day. These culturally relevant meals are lovingly prepared by various African restaurants across the city, supporting local businesses while catering to the specific palates and dietary needs of the asylum seekers. The distribution network spans five mosques and four shelters, a logistical undertaking fueled by compassion and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by newcomers. Drammeh anticipates that their commitment will necessitate the distribution of over 40,000 meals by the time Ramadan concludes, a figure that underscores the scale of need and Afrikana’s unwavering dedication.

Addressing Food Insecurity with Culturally Sensitive Care

Since the beginning of Ramadan, Afrikana’s daily provision of over a thousand meals has served a dual purpose: directly addressing the critical issue of food insecurity within the city’s shelter system and offering meals that are not only Halal (permissible according to Islamic dietary guidelines) but also culturally familiar. This thoughtful approach fosters a crucial sense of belonging for individuals who have often experienced displacement and hardship. Afrikana’s remarkable efforts are made possible through a dedicated fundraising campaign launched during this sacred month. The funds raised enable the organization to partner with local African restaurants citywide, commissioning them to prepare meals specifically for the asylum seekers in the shelters.

This initiative not only provides vital nourishment but also injects resources into the local economy, creating a positive ripple effect. Adama Bah, the visionary founder of Afrikana, based in Harlem, emphasized that a core tenet of their mission is to provide culturally sensitive food to asylum seekers, particularly those hailing from African nations who have encountered difficulties within New York City’s often-strained shelter system. Bah articulated that while Halal meals are frequently associated with Middle Eastern or South Asian culinary traditions, many African Muslims in shelters were not receiving meals that adequately met their religious, cultural, and dietary requirements.

This gap in culturally appropriate food provision highlights a broader challenge within systems designed to serve diverse populations. Notably, immigrants from Senegal, Guinea, and Mauritania were among the leading nationalities represented in federal immigration court cases in New York State in 2024, underscoring the significant presence of West African communities among asylum seekers.

“This fundraiser came about because we were often excluded,” Bah stated with poignant honesty. “And when the government doesn’t include you, or the city doesn’t include you, you turn to your community and you ask your community to help you. And that’s what happened. The community stepped up.” Bah’s words resonate with the power of grassroots initiatives and the resilience of communities to address unmet needs.

Gratitude and the Pressing Need for Halal Provisions

Bah, who herself migrated from Guinea at a young age, shared that the recipients of these meals at the shelters have expressed profound gratitude. Their heartfelt thanks often manifest in prayers for the organization and the dedicated individuals involved in the meal distribution. “If you are not spiritual, you won’t understand [what it means] when someone takes the time out of their day to pray for you in their language,” she reflected, highlighting the deep emotional and spiritual impact of these acts of kindness. She also noted that individuals from other nationalities, including Venezuelans, have also approached Afrikana during the night distributions, seeking food, indicating a broader need within the shelter system.

Salim Drammeh further emphasized the critical need for Halal meals within the shelters, stating, “We’ve seen that there was a need for Halal meals. Especially because the shelters were not providing Halal meals to asylum seekers.” This lack of culturally and religiously appropriate food underscores a systemic challenge that Afrikana’s Ramadan charity efforts are actively working to address. On the particular Sunday morning in question, Drammeh oversaw the delivery of over one thousand meals across three shelters located in the Bronx, Long Island City, and Manhattan, as well as four mosques that serve as community hubs for asylum seekers.

The logistics of such an operation are considerable. Drammeh recounted collecting 650 meals from a local African restaurant in the Bronx, a crucial partnership that ensures the meals are both authentic and prepared with care. These meals then embarked on a journey across the boroughs, destined for the asylum seekers awaiting nourishment.

Jollof Rice: A Taste of Home and a Bridge to Community

Jollof rice, a beloved and iconic dish across West Africa, holds a special significance for many of the asylum seekers Afrikana serves. Prepared with a unique and often fiercely debated blend of spices that varies from country to country, jollof rice is more than just a meal; it’s a taste of home, a connection to cultural identity. Adama Bah shared that friendly debates often erupt among the asylum seekers over which African nation prepares the best rendition of this cherished dish, a lighthearted moment of normalcy amidst challenging circumstances.

Drammeh’s commitment to providing Halal meals predates his involvement with Afrikana. Last year, he initiated a similar effort with the Gambian Youth Organization, witnessing firsthand the growing number of asylum seekers seeking refuge at local mosques after their initial shelter placements expired. Recognizing the escalating demand for food and support, Drammeh joined forces with Afrikana’s fundraiser this year, amplifying his reach and enabling him to serve a larger segment of the community.

The impact of Afrikana’s Ramadan charity extends beyond the early morning Suhoor distributions. Following the Maghrib prayer (the sunset prayer), attendees at mosques partnering with Afrikana have been greeted with warm Iftar meals, often featuring the comforting jollof rice and meat stew. On the Saturday preceding the Sunday morning Suhoor delivery, over 125 Muslims, many of whom are asylum seekers, gathered at the Darou Salam Islamic Community mosque in the Bronx to break their fast. Their Iftar that evening included dates, traditionally the first food consumed to break the fast, and dal vada, a savory deep-fried lentil fritter seasoned with aromatic spices and herbs. By March 15th, Afrikana had already distributed over 15,000 meals citywide, a testament to the rapid growth and impact of their initiative.

The Mosque as Sanctuary and the Primacy of Feeding the Needy

Imam Cheikh Tidiane Ndao, who leads the Maghrib prayer at the Darou Salam Islamic Community mosque, highlighted the profound importance of feeding the needy in Islam. He noted that during Ramadan, over a thousand asylum seekers have visited the mosque, many using its address to receive mail from government agencies like the DMV and other federal entities, underscoring the mosque’s role as a vital support system. Showing a box overflowing with envelopes, Imam Ndao emphasized that while building mosques is significant in Islam, providing food to those in need takes precedence. “Feeding people is very important in the Islamic religion… because you have to eat first before you enter the mosque,” he explained, expressing his hope that more people would support these crucial efforts.

The need for such Ramadan charity initiatives has become increasingly apparent as New York City grapples with the ongoing influx of asylum seekers. Recent news has also highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by this population, such as the case of a Queens man charged with green card fraud for posing as an ‘ICE’ federal agent, preying on the anxieties and uncertainties of immigrants. These incidents underscore the importance of community-based organizations like Afrikana, which provide not only material support but also a sense of safety and trust.

On that particular Sunday morning, after the early Suhoor delivery, Drammeh, with the assistance of dedicated volunteers, continued his rounds, delivering food to shelters in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Long Island City. At the final stop in Manhattan, Adama Bah and other Afrikana volunteers were there to greet them, personally calling on the asylum seekers within the shelter to come and receive their much-needed meal.

A Resident’s Gratitude and the Dedication of Volunteers

Omer Mohamed, a 26-year-old resident of the Manhattan shelter who arrived in New York from Sudan two years prior, played a crucial role in guiding his fellow migrants to the food distribution point before the Fajr prayer, the early morning prayer that precedes the start of the daily fast. Mohamed expressed deep gratitude for Afrikana’s consistent support in feeding the shelter residents. “You should come to see the line during Iftar, there are a lot of people,” he remarked, gesturing towards the garage area where many gathered to eat, a vivid illustration of the sheer number of individuals relying on Afrikana’s Ramadan charity.

The volunteers of Afrikana, many of whom dedicate their time and energy while also observing their own Ramadan fast, work tirelessly in the pre-dawn hours, embodying the spirit of selfless service that defines the holy month. The asylum seekers receiving these meals often express their profound appreciation, recognizing that this warm food is their last sustenance before a long day of fasting.

Advocating for Systemic Change of Community Support

While Adama Bah is deeply grateful for the generous donations that have fueled Afrikana’s fundraiser, she also raises a critical point about systemic responsibility. She believes that if the City of New York, which allocates substantial funds to food contracts, could ensure the provision of culturally sensitive food within its shelter system, organizations like Afrikana could redirect their resources to address other vital needs within the asylum seeker community. These needs include workforce training programs tailored for Black migrants and improved access to language services, both of which are crucial for long-term integration and self-sufficiency.

Highlighting the urgency and persistence of this unmet need. Afrikana’s Ramadan charity initiative serves as a powerful example of community-led action, addressing a critical gap in the support provided to Muslim asylum seekers in New York City. Their dedication to providing culturally relevant and Halal meals not only nourishes bodies but also fosters a sense of dignity, belonging, and spiritual connection during the sacred month of Ramadan.

In essence, Afrikana’s volunteers and the asylum seekers’ gratitude showcase powerful Ramadan charity in NYC. Their Suhoor efforts highlight the crucial role of local groups supporting vulnerable populations during this holy month. This initiative addresses immediate needs and builds community for those observing Ramadan away from home in New York City. Providing culturally relevant meals with care, Afrikana exemplifies grassroots compassion and the importance of Ramadan support for asylum seekers in NYC. Their work inspires those seeking to engage in charity in NYC. Consider supporting such efforts to make a real difference.