RIYADH: Many young men and women in the Kingdom eagerly engage in volunteer and charitable activities, as well as community initiatives, especially during Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

By helping others, they boost social solidarity and promote a positive spirit in society.

Volunteering during the holy month of Ramadan is a great opportunity to contribute to serving the community and to take part in charitable works. Most often, this entails distributing food to the fasting, for, as the Prophet Muhammad said: “Whoever gives iftar to a fasting person will have a reward like his, without that detracting from the reward of the fasting person in the slightest.”

Iftar meals are distributed by volunteers to fasting people under the auspices of accredited charitable organizations. The meals, given out in public places, usually include dates, milk and water, SPA reported.

In the Eastern province, for instance, the Abshir Bil-Futoor initiative was carried out for the second year by a voluntary work association under the patronage of the governor of the Eastern Province, Prince Saud bin Nayef. It involved various government, private and nonprofit sector entities that distributed 100,000 meals with the help of more than 2,000 volunteers.

The volunteer team taking part in Abshir Bil-Futoor expressed pride and satisfaction in doing volunteer work through this initiative to serve members of society in accordance with religious teachings, SPA reported.

Initiative supervisor in Qatif, Hussein Ali Al-Fatil, said that more than 250 volunteers participated in the initiative in the governorate. They distributed 4,000 meals at various locations, in total compliance with security and safety measures.

Volunteers Khalil Al-Madhkar and Nader Al-Sharqi stressed that volunteering is an investment of time in activities that serve others in society, and expressed pride in joining this initiative.

Volunteer Mohammed Abdullah said that he, together with all other members of his family, participates in the Abshir Bil-Futoor initiative, which contributes to instilling the spirit of charitable work in his children and enhances their feelings of satisfaction and happiness.