Charity kitchen continues to serve during Ramadan
Sulaymaniyah’s Grand Mosque undergoing renovation
SULAYMANIYAH – Despite ongoing renovations at Sulaymaniyah’s historic Grand Mosque, its charity kitchen continues to operate, offering meals to citizens during Ramadan.
Sheikh Mohammed Salar, the supervisor of the Grand Mosque, told 964media that the mosque is not undergoing expansion but rather restoration to preserve its original design and cultural significance.
Additionally, minor repairs are being carried out to address cracks and leaks in certain areas, with the completion date yet to be determined.
Established in 1785 and expanded in 1964, the Grand Mosque underwent renovations in 1994 and 2011 before the current round of restoration began in October 2023. Notably, it holds the distinction of being declared a heritage site by the Kurdistan Parliament under Article 7 of Law No. 5 of 2021, aimed at safeguarding heritage and cultural sites in the region dating back over 200 years.
Inside the mosque, visitors will find the philanthropic Kak Ahmed Sheikh Charity Kitchen. Locally known as the Mizgewti Gewre, the mosque was constructed by Kak Ahmedi Sheikh, an esteemed 18th-century religious figure in Sulaymaniyah.
Sheikh Salar highlighted that before Ramadan, the kitchen provided meals to 1,000 to 1,500 people daily, a number which surges to 3,000 to 5,000 during Ramadan evenings.
“The kitchen’s necessities and food supplies are provided by philanthropists, and it employs five staff whose salaries are covered by the Sulaymaniyah Directorate of Religious Endowments,” he told 964media,” Sheikh Salar told 964media.
Despite occasional pauses, the charity kitchen has been serving the community since its inception, sustaining its mission to provide daily meals to those in need.
“On regular days, we prepare over 150 kilos of rice, 60 kilos of beans, and approximately 320 kilos of chicken. During Ramadan, we scale up production to meet increased demand,” Sheikh Salar added, underscoring the crucial role the charity kitchen plays in supporting low-income individuals within the community.
Mother-son duo offers free meals to those who cannot afford to pay
