Ramadan: A lesson in sensitisation towards PWDs

The religion of Islam preaches about equality and fairness. No human being is superior to another. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself stated as such on the Mountain of Arafat in His last sermon: “No Arab has superiority over a Non-Arab and no Non-Arab has superiority over an Arab.”

The concept of charity was designed for the very purpose of helping those who cannot support themselves or their families. The needy disabled and those who are in debt are one of the eight types of people who can receive Zakat donations. Some people with disabilities are often in greater need of humanitarian assistance.

There are persons with disabilities that are either in rest homes or their own homes who go long periods without any visitors, no one to ask about them or know about their hardships and requirements. They are living, but don’t feel alive. One of the best things we can do is stop by and visit these people, ask about them, their history, help them feel important again. Even if you spare only one hour a month, it will be time well spent for them.

One doesn’t always need to donate cash. There are other ways we can help them. We can take care of their medical requirements, education, monthly financial requirements, necessary living assistive devices. We can pay their electricity and water bills, catering to home, home barrier environment and improvement of residential evaluation.

On the other hand, one can simply contribute financially to either them or to the institutions which are designed to help them.