Bakery owner launches Ramadan bread initiative in Dhi Qar

DHI QAR — A young bakery owner in Dhi Qar has launched a Ramadan charity initiative by increasing bread portions during the day and giving away thousands of samoons free of charge at night.

Samoons are traditional Iraqi flatbreads with a light, fluffy interior and a crisp, golden crust, typically baked in a clay oven.

Abdulrazzaq Hassan, owner of Al-Kawthar Bakery in the Sabean area of Souq Al-Shiyoukh, is marking the holy month by increasing the number of samoons from eight to ten per 1,000 dinars ($0.68) until 3 p.m. After that, he distributes bread for free until suhoor—the pre-dawn meal consumed by Muslims before beginning their fast.

“We aim to give away 10,000 samoons of bread throughout the holy month, every day from 3 p.m. until 2 a.m.,” Hassan told 964media.

Hassan, who spent five years working in bakeries before opening his own, said the initiative is about more than charity. “Of course, there are costs, but we want to instill this positive habit in the community. At the end of the day, this is a humanitarian effort, and nothing is lost in the eyes of God.”

Encouraged by the positive response from locals, Hassan hopes to continue the tradition in future years. “This is my first initiative, and inshallah, we will continue in the coming years. People have supported and encouraged us, and we hope it inspires others.”

Locals have welcomed the gesture. “Ramadan Kareem, may God accept your good deeds. This is a great step by the bakery owners, and we hope others will follow,” said Ashraf Kareem, a resident.

Adnan Saleh, another customer, praised the initiative for aiding struggling families. “This is a generous move for low-income families. Many people can’t afford bread, and this is a blessing. May God reward the bakery owners.”

In Islam, giving during Ramadan is highly encouraged as an act of charity, generosity, and spiritual purification, with the belief that good deeds are multiplied in reward during the holy month.