The Forgotten Valleys of Azad Kashmir
In the breathtaking valleys of Athmuqam, Neelum, where snow-capped mountains kiss the sky and rivers flow like poetry, beauty and hardship coexist. The region’s charm hides a reality that rarely reaches the world’s headlines — a growing crisis of hunger and poverty that grips thousands of families.
This is the story of Mustafa, a seven-year-old boy whose childhood has been shaped not by play or laughter, but by hunger, loss, and resilience.
A Moment That Changed Everything
We were driving through Athmuqam on our way to a medical camp organised by the Kashmir Welfare Foundation. It was one of those serene days where the sunlight danced on the river, and the laughter of children echoed through the valley. Then, in the corner of a dusty field, we saw him.
A little boy, sitting alone on the ground, clutching an empty plastic bag.
Something about the stillness of his eyes made us stop. My team hesitated, worried we were already behind schedule, but I knew we had to.
I knelt beside him, asked his name, and he whispered, “Mustafa.”
A Child’s Burden Too Heavy to Bear
For twenty minutes, I listened as Mustafa told his story with a kind of calm no child should possess. He spoke of his younger brothers, his older sister who tries to care for them, and his mother — a woman of extraordinary patience, yet confined by a growing disability. Then came the silence, followed by words that shattered my heart.
His father had died months earlier, when his scooter skidded off a mountain road.
He was the family’s only breadwinner.
Since then, the family has survived on faith and the kindness of neighbours, often skipping meals and breaking their fasts with nothing but water during Ramadan.
“When there is no food,” Mustafa said softly, “my mother tells us to pray… and sleep.”
Surviving on Faith and Sadaqah in Ramadan
In villages like Athmuqam, hunger is not an emergency — it’s a way of life. Families like Mustafa’s live on the edge of survival, where a single illness, job loss, or flood can mean the difference between life and death.
During Ramadan, when millions gather for Iftar meals, many in Neelum Valley face empty plates. The Kashmir Welfare Foundation’s Meals of Mercy Campaign was created for moments like this — to reach those who have been forgotten by the world, yet never forgotten by Allah.
For £2, you can provide an Iftar meal for someone like Mustafa.
For £40, you can feed an entire family for a month.
For £200, you can sponsor a full Iftar event that nourishes 100 fasting souls.
Every plate you fill, every meal you fund, is an act of Sadaqah that reaches beyond hunger. It restores dignity. It gives a child hope.
Donate now to the Meals of Mercy Campaign
The Power of Zakat in Ramadan
Allah tells us in the Qur’an:
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed that grows seven ears, and in every ear a hundred grains.” (Qur’an 2:261)
Your Zakat has the power to turn despair into opportunity. When you give through Kashmir Welfare Foundation, your donation becomes more than money — it becomes a meal, a lifeline, a reminder that the Ummah still cares.
This Ramadan, your Zakat and Sadaqah can ensure families like Mustafa’s don’t go hungry. Together, we can bring light to homes where candles have long burned out.
Learn more or calculate your Zakat here: Zakat Donation Page
Laylatul Qadr – A Night of Infinite Rewards
As the blessed nights of Ramadan draw near, Laylatul Qadr offers us an opportunity like no other. A night greater than a thousand months, when every act of charity is multiplied beyond measure.
Imagine your Sadaqah reaching a child like Mustafa on this sacred night — your reward echoed across generations.
One meal. One act of compassion. Infinite blessings.
“Whoever relieves a believer’s distress, Allah will relieve his distress on the Day of Judgement.” – Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Mustafa’s Mother – The Silent Sufferer
Mustafa’s mother, once the strength of the family, now lies hospitalised in Muzaffarabad, battling a severe disability. There were no hospitals in Neelum Valley equipped to treat her. For years, she sought help but was met with closed doors, untrained staff, and broken systems.
Had there been better medical infrastructure, her condition might not have worsened. She now depends on medical aid funded through the Kashmir Welfare Foundation, part of our effort to bring mobile hospitals and free medical camps to Kashmir’s remote valleys.
As Mustafa’s sister, barely nine years old, sits by her mother’s bedside, their neighbour cares for the younger boys. Mustafa sleeps each night missing his mother’s warmth, unsure if she will return home.
No child should carry that uncertainty.
No mother should face illness alone.
The Reality Hits Hard
Across Azad Kashmir, thousands of children like Mustafa wake up hungry, go to bed uncertain, and grow up too soon. Yet, in every story of hardship, there is a door waiting to be opened — a door that you can unlock with your compassion.
Your donation is not just charity. It’s a message of solidarity, a promise that Kashmir is not forgotten.
“When I met Mustafa, I realised hunger in Kashmir isn’t about lack of food. It’s about lack of opportunity — and we can change that.”
— Abdul Basit, Kashmir Welfare Foundation
Hope Begins With You
This Ramadan, let’s turn faith into action. Let’s ensure no family in Kashmir breaks their fast with nothing but tears. Let’s feed hope, one plate at a time.
Donate Today – Be the Answer to a Prayer
- £2 provides one Iftar meal
- £40 feeds a family for a month
- £200 sponsors a full Iftar event
Every donation you make this Ramadan multiplies your reward and saves a family from hunger.
Make your Sadaqah count. Give your Zakat with intention.
Donate through the Kashmir Welfare Foundation today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much does it cost to provide an Iftar meal in Kashmir?
Just £2 can provide a hot meal to someone fasting in Azad Kashmir through our Meals of Mercy Campaign.
2. Can I give my Zakat or Sadaqah for food distribution in Ramadan?
Yes, Kashmir Welfare Foundation distributes both Zakat and Sadaqah funds to provide food packs and iftar meals to the poorest families.
3. What areas of Azad Kashmir benefit from these Ramadan donations?
Your donations reach remote regions like Neelum, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and other valleys where hunger and poverty are widespread.
4. Are donations through Kashmir Welfare Foundation Gift Aid eligible?
Yes, if you are a UK taxpayer, you can Gift Aid your donation — adding 25% more to your impact at no extra cost.
5. How can I make a regular contribution beyond Ramadan?
You can join our Regular Giving programme to support Kashmir families year-round. Visit: https://kashmirwelfare.org.uk/regulargiving
