The Sacred Table: honouring sustenance and curbing Ramadan food waste

In the Holy Qur’an, food is regarded as a “pure sustenance” and a divine sign for those who reflect. Allah describes the creation of cultivated gardens and crops of diverse tastes as blessings that demand both gratitude and moderation. Honoring the producers of this food is inherently tied to the command to give the poor their due on harvest day and to avoid squandering wealth, as those who waste are described as “brothers of the devils.” This spiritual mandate frames food not just as a commodity, but as a trust from the Creator that must be handled with reverence.

Yet, in Bahrain, the spiritual discipline of Ramadan often clashes with a cycle of hyper-consumerism. While the Kingdom typically generates 400 tonnes of food waste daily, this figure skyrockets to over 600 tonnes during the Holy Month. This surge is driven by lavish hotel buffets where nearly a quarter of prepared food is discarded, and by impulsive household buying fueled by the socio-cultural pressure to provide “perfect menus.” This cultural trend of “Israf” or extravagance leads many to believe that overcrowded tables signify hospitality, directly contradicting the Qur’anic injunction to eat and drink without wasting.

To realign modern habits with the spirit of the Prophet (PBUH), who advised leaving a third of the stomach for air, Bahrain must embrace practical, collective solutions. Residents can support organizations like the Conserving Bounties Society, which bridges the gap by collecting surplus hotel food for redistribution to thousands of needy families. On an individual level, mindful preparation through strict shopping lists and portion control at Iftar can significantly reduce household surplus. Furthermore, businesses can implement digital waste management tools to identify production “hotspots” and adjust their output in real-time.

Ramadan is ultimately a school of self-restraint; by curbing waste, we do more than protect the environment—we fulfill a fundamental act of worship and honour the divine gift of sustenance.

(Captain Mahmood Al Mahmood is the Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Tribune and the President of the Arab-African Unity Organisation for Relief, Human Rights and Counterterrorism)