Residents and Muslim faithful in Ilorin have commended former Senate President Bukola Saraki for distributing Ramadan Iftar meal packages to mosques in parts of the state as part of his annual outreach during the holy month.

The initiative, organised under the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation, is scheduled to run throughout the last 10 days of Ramadan across several communities in seven states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The programme is designed to provide meals for Muslims observing the fast and support underserved communities during the sacred period.

Findings by The PUNCH showed that the distribution in Sango and Isale-Aluko communities forms part of a wider Iftar support programme initiated by Saraki, which covers about 52 mosques across Kwara State.

Beneficiaries who spoke to PUNCH Online on Sunday said the food packages were delivered daily to enable worshippers to break their fast, especially during the final days of Ramadan, which are regarded by Muslims as spiritually significant.

Confirming the receipt of the Iftar packages in the Zango area of Ilorin, the Chairman of IZALLAH Mosque 1 in Ilorin South Local Government Area, Razaq Amisu, said the community had been receiving about 100 food packages daily.

"Although the mosque often records about 200 worshippers during the fasting period, the gesture remained highly appreciated by members of the community.

"I want Dr Bukola Saraki to sustain the initiative, because many worshippers depend on such support to break their fast during Ramadan," he said.

Also speaking, a representative of the Muslim community in Alanamu Ward, Isale-Aluko in Ilorin West Local Government Area, Muhammadu Omotayo, expressed gratitude to the former Kwara State governor for his continued generosity towards Muslim faithful.

He prayed for divine reward and success for Saraki, noting that the Iftar items, including rice, beans and bread, are prepared daily to feed about 100 people at the mosque.

Omotayo, who is a member of Aberi Mosque, said the community had been receiving the support since the beginning of the last 10 days of Ramadan, adding that worshippers regularly offer prayers for Saraki during congregational prayers.

Meanwhile, the Imam of Aberi Mosque in Aluko Alaro, Abdullahi Ibrahim, described the initiative as a commendable gesture.

He noted that feeding people during Ramadan is regarded in Islam as a noble act and added that both adults and youths in the community had benefited from the programme.

Ibrahim further said the items were distributed fairly amongst beneficiaries, who also offered prayers in appreciation of the initiative.

Saraki, who served as Senate President between 2015 and 2019, has maintained several humanitarian and social intervention programmes through the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation, particularly during Ramadan and other community support initiatives.