Striking photos capture British Muslim families breaking fast during Ramadan in food bank Britain
British Muslims across the country are facing financial pressures and poverty – but the communities are rallying together to provide support in Ramadan and beyond
by: Peter Caton, Dallas Jay Hunter
18 Mar 2026
Marium, 6, Hameed, 42, Sameer, 4, and Samira, 40, break their fast together during Ramadan in their one bedroom apartment in Newham, east London. Image: Peter Caton
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Muslims in the UK have been forced to rely on food banks during the holy month of Ramadan to prepare meals for iftar, the evening meal that breaks the daily fast.
Nearly three in 10 British Muslims struggled with at least one household bill in the past year, according to recent research from Islamic Relief, the National Zakat Foundation and Muslim Census.
Yet nearly two thirds (63%) of British Muslims who have gone hungry did not turn to a food bank in their time of need.
The research showed that 95% of British Muslims in financial difficulty don’t ask for help.
Islamic Relief UK has distributed food packs to families across communities in the UK this year, in its largest-ever Ramadan distribution, through 37 food banks, mosques, football clubs and other local organisations.
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One example is the Newham Community Project food bank in east London, which operates three days a week, providing food and essential supplies to more than 100 families during each operational shift.
During Ramadan, donors often contribute speciality items such as dates, traditionally eaten by Muslims when breaking their fast.
The queue of people waiting for food often stretches down the road away from the distribution centre, after local shops and residents complained about the number of people gathering outside. The steady stream of visitors, many of them international students, highlights the growing demand for support.
Despite financial pressures, Muslims continue to fast during Ramadan as an act of spiritual devotion and reflection.
These photos, commissioned by Islamic Relief UK and captured by photographer Peter Caton, show life for Muslim families and individuals in London during Ramadan.
Yasmin Ismail (left), founder of the Newham Community Project, sorts through bananas to be placed into bags and distributed at the food bank in Newham, east London. She says: “With the rising cost of living, everything has slowed down. Businesses are unable to donate as much; the quantity is less.” Image: Peter CatonPeople struggling with the cost of living crisis in Newham, east London, queue down the street to receive a free bag of food at the Newham Community Project. Many in the queue are Muslims who are struggling to afford food during Ramadan. Image: Peter Caton Hameed, 42, spends time with his children in their cramped one bedroom apartment in Newham, east London, while his wife Sameera, 40, prepares iftar, the evening meal that breaks the daily fast during Ramadan. Image: Peter CatonJineesha Stellas gratefully receives a food parcel at the Newham Community Project food bank in Newham, east London. Although Jineesha is Hindu, the food bank supports people of all faiths and backgrounds and is open to anyone in need. Image: Peter Caton A resident walks home with a bag of groceries collected from the Newham Community Project food bank in Newham, east London. During Ramadan, many families rely on community support as rising living costs make it harder to afford food for iftar, the evening meal that breaks the daily fast. Image: Peter Caton Azeem breaks his fast alone on the landing of his home in Newham, east London, as the house is overcrowded and there is little space. Azeem, 34, from India, came to the UK on a student visa and spends Ramadan on his own while his wife and son remain in India. He previously rented his own room but lost his savings after being scammed in the UK, pushing his finances to the limit. He now lives in a room shared with two other people. “Being alone during the month of Ramadan is hard. I am missing out on my son’s childhood,” he says. Image: Peter Caton Fatima, Jasmine, Mohammed, Mariam and Osman sit down for iftar, the evening meal that breaks the daily fast during Ramadan, at their home in Newham, east London. Fatima explains: “Everyone is affected by the cost of living crisis here.. a lot of people feel that pressure. We need to think twice before buying anything.” Image: Peter CatonSana, 33, makes samosas by hand as she prepares iftar to break her fast during Ramadan at her home in Newham, east London. Due to economic difficulties, Sana, her husband and daughter live in a crowded house shared with several other families, where each household is allotted a specific time to use the kitchen. Image: Peter CatonSana, 33, Amira, 5, and Haider, 40, break their fast during Ramadan in the only private living space available to them at their home in Newham, east London. Sana explains: “For the past five years, my house mates and I would pay £1650 per month, and now it has increased to £2800… We cannot afford the things that used to make us happy and now we only live in survival mode. The cost of living crisis is killing us!” Image: Peter Caton
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