Manchester Muslims hand out hot meals for Ramadan

The hot food is provided to vulnerable people across the region

Thousands of hot meals have been handed to vulnerable and homeless people across Greater Manchester by Muslims fasting over Ramadan.

It is part of a campaign by the city's branch of the Islamic Society of Britain (ISB) to help struggling communities during the holy month.

More than 8,000 servings of freshly made food made with the support of local restaurants as part of the initiative, now in its fifth year.

Dr Becky Elyas from Manchester ISB said the group wanted to help the "increasing numbers of people suffering in food poverty across our city".

More than 26,000 meals have been introduced since the campaign began in 2020

Volunteers have been distributing the meals to local charities and community groups which then hand them on to vulnerable people.

Ramadan is "a time for community and to remember the most in need within our society", Dr Elyas said

She said: "Sharing a meal and eating together with your family and friends is one of the joys of breaking the fast in Ramadan.

"Sadly we continue to see the deterioration in the cost of living with increasing numbers of people suffering from food poverty across our city."

The meals are distributed by grassroots groups and local charities

The campaign started on 20 March and is set to come to an end on Saturday.

It has been supported by the South Manchester Muslim Community Association as well as by donations from local businesses.

Narhisa from Zouk Tea Bar & Grill, which has helped prepare some of the meals, said the restaurant was "delighted to have been able to support this amazing campaign".

He said: "We hope that our small contribution can make a difference for families in these challenging times."