FEASTING ON FAIRTRADE THIS RAMADAN
01.08.2011- (For Original Article) -- To Muslims worldwide the month of August marks the celebration of Ramadan. A progressive UK-based Muslim organisation called Radical Middle Way (RMW) is urging Muslims to take a step back and think about consciously buying, using and serving fair trade products this Ramadan. RMW is a grassroots initiative that promotes civic and social engagement amongst the youth and has in the past encouraged Muslims to embrace greener initiatives. This year the organisation is urging Muslims to support environmental and ethical consciousness by signing a fair trade Ramadan pledge.
Fairtrade ensures better prices, decent working conditions and local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in developing countries and this is in keeping with RMW's belief that Muslims have always valued fairness in trade which ensures that workers get a fair price for their work whilst producers get a fair price for their produce. They also believe that buying and supporting food items produced in a manner that is fair to the farmers as well as environmentally and socially sustainable would seem to be the next logical step for Muslim. In the quest to urge Muslims to go fair trade during Ramadan, the Radical Middle Way pledges the following:
1. Affirm the spirit of Ramadan in word and in deed- a spirit which calls on me to draw close to God by seeking Him mercy, being charitable and promote justice for all.
2. Consciously buy, use and serve fair trade products this Ramadan in preparing meals and breaking my fast- products like bananas, dates, olive oil, coffee and chocolate.
3. Promote the principles of fair trade and encourage my family and friends, mosques and community organisations to commit to using fair trade products whenever possible seking trade justice and better life for all producers.
Wishing all Muslims a Fairtrade Ramadan!!!
