Ukrainian Muslims Celebrate Ramadan Amid War, Share Bread and Charity to Orphans

KYIV, KOMPAS.com – Muslims in Ukraine are facing a difficult Ramadan this year.

The war with Russia in the country continues to rage, but many plan to use the charity season to raise money to support those in need.

“We had to adjust everything,” said Niyara Nimatova, a Crimean Tatar and head of the Liga Muslim Ukrainareported Al Jazeera.

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On the first day of the fasting month, he plans to prepare an iftar dinner with a group of refugee families who live with him at the Islamic Center in Chernivtsi.

“Many Muslims went abroad and those still in Ukraine need support,” Nimatova said by phone from the western Ukrainian city, where she was transferred from the southeastern province of Zaporizhzhia, part of which is under Russian control.

Five weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine, more than 10 million people were forced to flee their homes, including about four million who fled abroad, according to the United Nations.

Muslims make up about one percent of Ukraine’s population, the majority of whom are Ukrainian Orthodox Christians.

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Before the war, Ukraine was home to more than 20,000 Turkish citizens, as well as scores of Turks, mainly Crimean Tatars.

Preparations for this year’s Ramadan have also been difficult and emotional as bombs fell on the country and a curfew was imposed, restricting movement at night when families gather to break their fast.

Evicted by war, many are also away from home and support networks of community and friends.

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