Ramadan and religion are being “used” by self-styled religious organisations and individuals who exploit and manipulate the public to gather large sums of money, rather than promoting the true teachings of Islam and assisting the underprivileged. The increased audience during Ramadan provides a chance for these organisations and individuals with a specific thought process to increase their reach. They not only spread what they believe to be true, but they also gather money from the gullible public for the benefit of the downtrodden. But do the deserving people receive the funds gathered in their name? Does anyone know about that?
Using Ramadan has, interestingly, resulted in a focus on popularity and controversial issues, a lack of transparency in donation collection processes, and little assistance for the underprivileged, detracting from the true teachings of Islam. The rampant collection of donations and the attempt to prove each other wrong have become a growing concern. The true teachings of Islam have been obscured by religious groups and people, who have turned their attention to popular and divisive topics, forgetting the real essence, let alone providing help to the poor and underprivileged. The concern is increasing over the excessive donation-taking and the attempts of preachers to prove each other wrong on various topics during Ramadan. Due to the proliferation of the internet and the demand for enticing material, it appears that every preacher is competing for popularity. What else do they require? The more well-liked, the more money; the more contentious, even more money!
These organisations step in because society as a whole has failed to put in place an effective system of donation gathering for the less fortunate. They get little to no aid, as a result of these religious organisations’ lack of accountability and transparency in their collection during Ramadan, which has also served to exacerbate already-existing divisions and take advantage of the public, doing nothing for those who deserve it. These groups take advantage of the people to raise money, noting the need for accountability and transparency in their donation collection procedures, as well as for scrutiny of their behaviour to stop further exploitation, which cannot be ignored any longer.
The misuse of religion and the exploitation of the public by religious organisations highlight the need for strong institutions for the welfare of the poor. These institutions must function not just during a particular month but all year long, making help and assistance to the needy an institutionalised and genuine process. These so-called religious groups shouldn’t be allowed to further their exploitative and polarising goals and must be stopped from duping people in the name of faith and Ramadan. People need to start questioning them. In addition to the larger role of society, which must put aside differences and make sure that those in need—whose needs are cashed by thugs everywhere to fill their coffers—are given the assistance they require, the Government also has a role to play in this regard.
