Singaporean religious teachers have embarked on a humanitarian mission during Ramadan

In the hustle and bustle of Ramadan in Singapore, bustling with lively bazaars and mosques packed with activities such as communal gatherings sunnah prayers, our dedicated group of asatizah (religious teachers) of the Asatizah Youth Network (AYN) has gone the extra mile to provide help beyond our shores to those who need it.

Within the first week of Ramadan, Ustaz Fizar, Ustazah Amalina, Ustazah Nadia and Ustazah Shameem left Singapore for Amman, Jordan, to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees camping in Jordan for a Ramadan relief project – a project launched in 2021 by Ustaz Fizar was started. Since then, it has blossomed to provide aid to refugees in countries facing hardship and food shortages, such as Yemen, northern Syria and most recently the Palestinians in Gaza.

Screenshot from @fzservices

In a special Instagram Live video with Muslim.Sg Editor-in-Chief Alia Abdullah, the atmosphere was energetic yet harmonious as the entire team, including chefs, packers and transporters, worked together efficiently to establish a smooth food distribution process. They carefully cooked and packaged the food and delivered it by hand the same day iftar (fasting) to refugees in a camp in Jordan. The meals were sponsored by fellow Singaporeans from all walks of life.

Viewers were digitally taken on a walk through the kitchen with pots and pans nasi mandi for the adults while pasta was prepared for the children, a commendable achievement to cook for a camp of 400 adults and 200 children in one day. The pasta was Ustazah Shameem’s idea to provide food that the children would love. In addition to the meals, the team also came together to pack goodie bags of items from Singapore to give to the children.

AYN and volunteers pack goodie bags for the children. Photo credit: Ustazah Amalina

AYN and volunteers in Jordan, a team effort from planning to meal distribution. Photo credit: Ustazah Amalina

“This is something very heartwarming, especially when we have a lot of asatizah on the ground, (and) especially four AYN members on the ground,” said an excited Ustaz Fizar.

It was no small feat to oversee food distribution in Jordan for two days before embarking on a trip to Baitul Maqdis the next day to continue their humanitarian work before flying back home to Singapore, all within a time frame of about eight days while they fasted. The team also had a wonderful opportunity iftar with the refugees in their tents as they listened to their stories firsthand.

AYN and volunteers in a refugee camp in Jordan. Photo credit: Ustazah Amalina

At the time this article was published, the Ramadan Aid Project had disbursed more than 15,000 meals during the holy month in countries including northern Syria and Gaza, Palestine.

Asatizah and volunteers pack meals that are hand-delivered to refugees in Jordan. Photo credit: Ustazah Amalina.

The team’s roving kitchen in Gaza, Palestine. Photo credit: Ustazah Amalina.

For Ustazah Amalina, this was her second humanitarian trip, and her first was also with Ustaz Fizar and Ustazah Shameem. Ustazah Amalina shared a poignant experience from the trips and said: “No matter how little they have, even in the month of Ramadan they really embrace you and give you the sincerest smiles and the most sincere conversations.” For her, it is a rare opportunity to embark on such a journey and be able to represent not only Asatizah locally, but also the youth. She hopes that more young people will be part of such humanitarian missions

Left: Humanitarian efforts for Syrian refugees in February. Right: Handing out goodie bags to children in a refugee camp in Jordan in March. Both photos courtesy of Ustazah Amalina.

On the feeling of helplessness as people in Singapore are exposed to videos of others suffering and starving, Ustazah Nadia said: “If you feel this way, know that you are not alone. We are all deeply affected by what is happening around the world.”

Ustaz Fizar plays a ball game with children in a refugee camp. Screenshot from @nadia.hanim.ar

She urged that even though we may not be able to help physically, we can still help dua (supplication) to alleviate their suffering. Dua is a powerful tool and Ustazah Nadia echoed this sentiment via a hadith saw by Prophet Muhammad in which he said:Dua is an act of worship” (Sunan At-Tirmizi).


Beyond making duaUstazah Nadia also mentioned other ways we can help through financial contributions to credible and reliable organizations with a proven track record, such as Rahmatan Lil Alamin (RLAF).

While much attention has been paid to helping our brothers and sisters suffering in those countries, we should not neglect our own local people and communities in Singapore who are also in need. Ustazah Nadia reiterated: “As much as you want to help everyone around the world, we do not forget ours.”

You can do your best on your own by considering donating food or simply visiting someone near you. By helping others, even with the smallest acts, we realize that we actually have the power in our hands and that there is always something good and charitable that can be done.

Ustazah Shameem added: “We are just tools and Allah swt has sent us here (Jordan) to represent all of you there (in Singapore). That is why we bring you all here into our hearts.” She reminded viewers that we should focus on the things we can do, rather than the things we can’t do. Every deed we do, even the smallest amount, is meaningful to Allah swt

Ustazah Shameem stirs a pot of food. Screenshot by @shameemsultanah

Ustazah Shameem also shared one hadith from a lady with two daughters, who received three dates from Aisyah ra:

“A woman came into Aisyah with her two daughters, and she gave her three dates. (The woman) gave each of her daughters a date, after which she divided the last among them. She (Aisyah) said: ‘Then the Prophet saw him coming, and I told him about it.’ He said, ‘Why are you surprised? Therefore, she will enter Paradise.’”

(Sunan Ibn Majah)

This hadith illustrates that our actions are not judged by greatness but by sincerity. The smallest acts, such as making a child happy, sharing meals or helping to carry the groceries, can be the reason you gain Allah’s blessings. So when Allah swt blesses us abundantly and financially, we increase our standard of giving more than our standard of living.

Screenshot from @nadia.hanim.ar

All four AYN members on the humanitarian trip in Jordan praised the support from their family, friends and community. They humbly recognized that without the blessings of their loved ones, this humanitarian journey would not be possible.

Ustaz Fizar added that this humanitarian trip had an impact due to the presence of female asatizah, who saw increased communication and encouragement as children in the refugee camps were open to interacting with them, whom they see as mother figures.

Photo credit: Ustazah Amalina

All good deeds, big or small, are cherished in the eyes of Allah swt. Ustazah Nadia shared an excerpt from her online post: “We strive to do even the smallest of deeds, with pure intentions, and for the sake of pleasing Allah. And these deeds are cherished in His eyes. So don’t underestimate the power of the smallest actions, as they can have profound consequences and contribute to improving the world. The world is never an ideal place for us, but we at least want to contribute to making it bearable for us to live in it until the day we return to Allah swt.”

On the back of their Ustaz Fizar humanitarian shirt is a hadith in which Prophet Muhammad saw said:

النَّاسِ أَنْفَعُهُمْ لِلنَّاسِ



“The best people are those who bring the greatest benefit to humanity.”

(Saheeh Ibn Hibban)

Photo credit: Ustazah Amalina

May we embody the resilience, determination and kindness of our asatiza to spread warmth and happiness to others around us. We dua that Allah swt grants them ease in everything they do and rewards them for every step they take. Amin.

And Allah knows best.