Food relief or food security? A study of the policies and programmes of four Muslim social welfare organisations in South Africa

Abstract

Food is a basic need, but there is nothing simple, rudimentary, and straightforward about its provision, production, distribution, preparation, or consumption. The provision of food is regarded as an act of great virtue in all faiths and is particularly firmly entrenched in Islamic doctrine, thought, history, culture, and practice. This study investigates the programmes and implementation strategies of four national Muslim social welfare organisations (MSWOs) operating in and from South Africa; these organisations provide food relief to thousands of poor people worldwide, using faith-based donations such as Zakãh (a purifying tax on personal wealth).