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A Cape Town Sufi-led relief fund raised R4.5 million during Ramadan 2026, delivering 10 000 food parcels across the Western Cape.
By SAYED RIDHWAAN MOHAMED
As the moon of Shawwal was sighted this past month, marking the end of Ramadan 2026, a quiet sense of triumph settled over the Hasnain Hall in Grassy Park. While many spent the month in private prayer, the volunteers of the Saabri & Ashrafi Relief Fund (SARF) were engaged in a massive, coordinated act of public service that has just reached its most ambitious goal yet.
The fund officially announced that it successfully hit its target of R4.5 million, enabling the distribution of over 10 000 food parcels to the most vulnerable communities across the Western Cape during the holy month. In a time when the cost of living has pushed many to the brink, this feat stands as a testament to a unique brand of humanitarianism: one deeply rooted in the mystical, service-oriented traditions of Sufism.
Beyond the labels: charity as spiritual practice
For decades, Sufi groups have often been the subject of internal theological debate within the Muslim community, with detractors frequently focusing on ‘bid’ah’ (innovation) or ‘shirk’ (polytheism). However, the SARF project offers a powerful counter-narrative. In the Sufi tradition, the path to the Creator is paved by serving His creation.
Named after the Chishti Saaberie and Ashrafi Tariqahs (spiritual orders), the fund is built on the principle that spiritual devotion is inseparable from social justice. ‘Our names reflect our lineage, but our actions reflect our mandate: “Striving to Serve”,’ says Mustaq Brey, the fund’s coordinator. ‘For us, these 10 000 parcels are not just logistics; they are an act of thikr, a remembrance of Allah through the feeding of the hungry.’
The ‘99 per cent’ efficiency model
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the lean, nearly zero-overhead model through which SARF operates. Unlike larger international NGOs, SARF has no paid staff, no fleet of vehicles, and no rented office space.
- Zero payroll: Administrative work is handled by a small team of dedicated trustees who offer their expertise freely.
- Zero rent: Packing operations take place at the Grassy Park Mosque, which provides its community hall at no cost.
- Volunteer logistics: The ‘last mile’ of delivery is achieved by plugging into existing networks, including Sanzaf, Nakhlistan, and various local churches.
Because of this radical transparency and efficiency, 99 per cent of every rand donated goes directly into the contents of the food hampers. This ensured that the R4.5 million raised translated directly into massive bulk buys of staples like rice, lentils and oil, which were packed by hundreds of volunteers over four consecutive Saturdays in Ramadan.
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A tradition of inclusion
The fund’s impact is not limited by faith or geography. While the Ramadan project is its flagship, the Sufi teachings of universal compassion mean that SARF operates throughout the year, providing aid for diverse needs, including Christmas distributions for non-Muslim organisations.
As Ramadan 2026 concluded, the work for SARF does not stop. With the success of this year’s R4.5 million drive, the organisation is already looking toward its year-round programmes and its upcoming Eid-ul-Adha distributions.
For the people of the Western Cape, the Saabri & Ashrafi Relief Fund has proven once again that when faith is put into action, the results are nothing short of remarkable.
