Ramadan is a month of worship not excessive eating 
About 2 billion Muslims, constituting 25 percent of the world population, observe the month of Ramadan annually, corresponding to the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
The significance of the holy month of Ramadan lies in its importance as a spiritual month and the fourth pillar of Islam. Additionally, it is a month of fasting and drawing closer to Almighty God through worship and the performance of additional prayers compared to normal days of the year, as well as expressing sympathy for the poor.
Ramadan is also the month dedicated to attempting to recite the entire Qur’an, seeking Laylat Al-Qadr in the last days of the month, and experiencing the feeling of poverty to foster empathy.
Also, the month of Ramadan supports the body’s digestive system by regulating meal times, aiding in the consumption of fat reserves, and cleansing the body of harmful toxins.
Finally, the Ramadan month has been proved to have a significant positive impact on health, as medical studies confirm that fasting reduces the levels of harmful cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, in the blood, thereby decreasing the risk of coronary artery disease.
Despite the religious and health benefits of the holy month of Ramadan, several unwarranted human practices unfortunately undermine such benefits.
Among these bad habits is excessive eating and drinking, particularly at the time of breaking the fast, as well as consuming large quantities of sugar through sweetening after breakfast.
Excessive eating not only leads to several illnesses, but also contributes to food wastage, as preparing excessive dining tables becomes necessary.
The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has urged the public to be responsible for food waste and health-conscious.
The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has urged the public to be responsible for food waste and health-conscious.
The ministry indicated that conserving food is an obedience to Allah the Almighty and in compliance with the directives of the government, particularly when considering that food wastage costs the Kingdom SR40 billion ($10.7 billion) annually, with an individual wasting 184 kg a year on average.
In collaboration with the Saudi Grains Organization, the ministry earlier conducted a study that revealed flour and bread wastage in the Kingdom amounted to 917,000 tonnes annually, while rice accounted for 557,000 tonnes.
It is worth noting that the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has worked diligently to meet the local consumption of various agricultural products.
For instance, the ministry reported earlier that the production of various types of vegetables has reached 180,000 tonnes per month, covering 60 percent of local consumption.
However, despite the ministry’s efforts to secure various types of food needs, it has affirmed that overbuying and stockpiling leads to food waste, as storing food for extended periods will result in spoilage and expiration.
To create awareness of responsible food consumption, the ministry and various parties have participated in a campaign urging people to rationalize food consumption, emphasizing Islamic teachings that strongly advocate the preservation of food and the safeguarding of valuable national resources, in line with the principles of Saudi Vision 2030. The ministry has also initiated several programs to develop and conserve these resources.
The campaign also aimed to raise public awareness about the concept of food loss and waste, sharing various tips and ideas related to reducing food waste and making the most of leftovers.
The Saudi Ministry of Commerce has implemented nine controls for commercial discounts in establishments and electronic stores, with the goal of reducing fake and misleading offers to consumers.
In conclusion, Ramadan is the month of drawing closer to Almighty God by focusing on worship and practicing mindful eating and drinking, as advised by our Islamic religion.
• Talat Zaki Hafiz is an economist and financial analyst. X: @TalatHafiz
