Fast for Yemen: This Ramadan, Please Join us in Fasting for Yemen

The following piece is about a work done by www.yemenpeaceproject.org

Each year, one and half billion Muslims around the world observe the holy month of Ramadan, a time put aside for fasting, prayer, and contemplation. This year, Ramadan will take on added meaning for millions in the Arab world, who have been struggling for months to bring democracy and change to their countries. In Yemen, millions of men, women, and children have taken to the streets to bring down the oppressive and criminal regime of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has ruled the country for thirty-three years.

During the last six months, the forces of the Saleh regime have killed hundreds of innocent Yemenis, wounded thousands more, and displaced tens of thousands from their homes. In addition to this unconscionable violence, the regime has brought about the worst humanitarian crisis in Yemen’s history. Even in Yemen’s largest cities, people live without electricity for days at a time. Food and water are in desperately short supply, while the prices of diesel fuel, cooking gas, and all other necessities of daily life have increased far beyond the means of most Yemenis. To survive this crisis, the people of Yemen need our help.


How you can help

The Yemen Peace Project has been raising funds for medical assistance and humanitarian relief efforts in Yemen since March. During Ramadan, we’re asking our friends in America to skip one meal a week and donate the cost of that meal to our efforts in Yemen.

How it works

For every meal you skip during Ramadan, you can help the YPP provide desperately needed assistance to Yemen’s most vulnerable people. Here are some examples of what we can accomplish* with even the smallest contributions:

$5 = Skip your morning latte or Frappuccino, provide a day’s meals for a family in Yemen;
$10 = Skip lunch out with co-workers, provide a week’s drinking water for a family in Yemen;
$15 = Skip a restaurant entre, provide five gallons of diesel fuel for hospital electrical generators;
$20 = Cook at home instead of going out, provide crucial medical supplies for protesters and civilians.

Each time you skip a meal, use the button below (please visit this link for the button) to make your contribution. And of course, if you’re already fasting for Ramadan, please consider making a contribution and praying for the people of Yemen.


Ramadan 2011 will begin on August 1st, and end on August 30th.

Help us spread the word about Fast for Yemen. Share this page or download a flier to share with your family and friends this Ramadan. Also, please feel free to leave a comment below about why you’re fasting for Yemen!

*These examples are for illustrative purposes only. Funds will be allocated based on need.