As the Sun Sets Over Kotli
As the golden light fades and the call to Maghrib echoes across the hills of Kotli, a familiar figure limps down a narrow, dusty lane. His name is Murtaza—a disabled father whose story reflects the silent struggle of thousands across Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
In his weathered hand swings a small, empty plastic bag. His destination? The local masjid, where he hopes—just hopes—that someone has sponsored iftar today.
For Murtaza, this nightly walk is not routine. It’s an act of faith. He makes the journey not for himself, but for his wife and four young children waiting at home with empty plates and hopeful eyes.
“Some nights,” he says quietly, “I find nothing. But I tell my children that Allah is testing our patience. Inside, my heart breaks.”
Life in “Heaven on Earth” Isn’t Easy
Kotli is often described as the heart of Azad Kashmir, its landscapes lush and its people resilient. Yet behind the postcard beauty lies a harsh reality.
According to AJK Bureau of Statistics (2024), Kotli is home to nearly 856,000 people—around 19% of the entire Azad Kashmir population. Despite the region’s natural wealth, over 82% of Kashmiris live in rural areas where poverty, unemployment, and limited access to healthcare persist.
In villages surrounding Kotli, many families live on less than £2 per day, struggling to balance faith with survival. In a place where one doctor serves nearly 3,900 people and one hospital bed supports 1,500 residents, even basic sustenance is a challenge during Ramadan.
A Father’s Love in Hard Times
Imagine walking home after sunset with nothing in your hands. The air smells of roasted chickpeas and fried pakoras drifting from neighbours’ homes, but your own kitchen remains silent.
This is Murtaza’s reality. Once a carpenter, an accident left him partially paralysed and unable to work. His eldest son, just 12, collects plastic bottles for recycling to help feed the family. His wife makes do with what she can—often rice, salt, and water.
Every Ramadan evening, when others prepare to break their fasts, Murtaza walks to the masjid, hoping that someone, somewhere, has sponsored iftar.
His story reminds us that poverty isn’t always visible—it’s quiet, dignified, and full of faith.
The Power of £2
So how can we change this story?
Through you.
For just £2, you can provide a nourishing iftar meal for one fasting person. That’s less than a coffee, yet it can restore dignity and bring immense relief.
Each meal from Kashmir Welfare Foundation’s Meals of Mercy Campaign includes rice, lentils, bread, fruit, and water—enough to sustain a person through their fast.
Last Ramadan, generous donors from across the UK helped distribute thousands of meals throughout Kotli, Neelum, and Muzaffarabad. For families like Murtaza’s, these meals weren’t just food—they were lifelines.
“When a volunteer knocked on our door with food, my children ran to him. That night, for the first time in days, we ate together with peace in our hearts.”
— Murtaza, Kotli
Iftar Campaign 2025
• 37,000 Iftar meals distributed
• 4,800 families fed across 10 districts
• 120 local volunteers mobilised
• 100% Zakat-eligible families verified on the ground
From One Meal to a Movement
What starts as a £2 meal quickly becomes a movement of compassion. When hunger is eased, families can think beyond survival. Children can focus on school. Parents can plan for the future.
Food brings dignity—and dignity builds resilience.
This is why Kashmir Welfare Foundation focuses on long-term impact. Through programmes like Empower Lives, Mobile Hospital Units, and Sustainable Development Projects, short-term relief transforms into lasting change.
But that transformation begins with simple acts of kindness—like giving one meal.
Why Give Now
Tonight, hundreds of families in Kotli will wait for iftar without knowing if they’ll eat. Your £2 could be the difference between hunger and hope.
Let’s not wait for someone else to act. Be the one who answers a prayer tonight.
💛 Join the £2 Iftar Revolution.
Sponsor An Iftar, Feed The Hungry
Give Sadaqah – Make a World Of Difference to someone in need today.
Regular Giving – Your ongoing support helps the poor
Beyond the Fast: A Path to Empowerment
When Ramadan ends, our work continues. Kashmir Welfare Foundation’s mission doesn’t pause with Eid—it evolves.
We partner with local leaders like Zafer Iqbal in Kotli and Humaira Aslam, our female lead, to implement year-round projects. These include:
- Income Generation Training – teaching widows and disabled individuals skills like tailoring and livestock management.
- Orphan Sponsorship – ensuring no child’s education stops due to poverty.
- Water Projects – restoring wells so families no longer walk miles for clean water.
By giving iftar today, you’re joining a ripple of generosity that strengthens education, health, and livelihoods across Azad Kashmir.
How Your Donation Helps
Transparency is central to our mission. Every donation goes directly toward food procurement, preparation, and distribution within Kashmir. No third-party outsourcing—only local volunteers ensuring authenticity and efficiency.
We prioritise Zakat-eligible families, single mothers, orphans, and those with disabilities—people like Murtaza, whose perseverance inspires us daily.
And for our UK donors, your impact is multiplied through Gift Aid.
UK Gift Aid Reminder
If you’re a UK taxpayer, tick the Gift Aid box when donating. It increases your donation by 25% at no extra cost, helping even more families in need. One click can turn £40 into £50—feeding 25 fasting souls instead of 20.
Hope Beyond Hunger
As we write this, the sun once again dips behind the Kotli hills. The call to Maghrib fills the air. Murtaza begins his familiar walk—but this time, something is different.
A volunteer in a Kashmir Welfare Foundation vest waves him over. He hands Murtaza a food parcel—warm bread, lentils, fruit, dates. Tears fill Murtaza’s eyes. For the first time this Ramadan, he’ll break his fast at home with his family.
That’s the power of your £2.
It’s more than charity—it’s a statement of unity, mercy, and love for our brothers and sisters in faith.
How You Can Be Part of This Change
- Its only £2 to provide a meal. How many are you able to provide?
- Set up a recurring £60 donation to feed a person every day for the whole month.
- Share this campaign with friends and family.
Let’s turn compassion into action and build a movement that lasts beyond Ramadan.
🌙 Feed a fasting soul. Restore dignity. Reignite hope.
Join Kashmir Welfare Foundation’s Meals of Mercy Campaign today.
Sponsor An Iftar, Feed The Hungry
Give Sadaqah – Make a World Of Difference to someone in need today.
Regular Giving – Your ongoing support helps the poor
Your mercy can reach Kotli tonight. Don’t let another family sleep hungry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Meals of Mercy Campaign?
It’s a Ramadan initiative by Kashmir Welfare Foundation that provides nutritious iftar meals to families in need across Azad Kashmir, ensuring dignity and relief for fasting Muslims.
How much does one iftar meal cost?
Each meal costs just £2. This includes rice, lentils, bread, fruit, and water, distributed locally through verified volunteers in partnership with masjids and community centres.
Can I give Zakat or Sadaqah towards this campaign?
Yes. All donations are fully Zakat-eligible and also count as Sadaqah. Funds are used directly for food aid and distribution among the poorest fasting families.
What areas of Kashmir does this campaign cover?
We operate across Kotli, Neelum, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, and Bagh, prioritising remote and underserved communities with limited access to food during Ramadan.
Can I donate from the UK with Gift Aid?
Absolutely. If you’re a UK taxpayer, tick the Gift Aid box when donating. It adds 25% to your donation at no extra cost, helping more families break their fast with dignity.
Sponsor An Iftar, Feed The Hungry
Give Sadaqah – Make a World Of Difference to someone in need today.
Regular Giving – Your ongoing support helps the poor
