Newsletters
An Algerian official has triggered widespread controversy after issuing a decision banning the filming of Ramadan aid distributions, known locally as the Ramadan basket.
This decision divides public opinion between those who see it as a step to protect dignity and those who argue that such footage encourages charitable giving.
The governor (wali) of Oran province, about 400 kilometers (248.5 miles) west of the Algerian capital, Ibrahim Oushan, issued a set of Ramadan-related instructions, including providing daily meals for homeless individuals throughout the holy month.
He also ordered the registration and monitoring of 62 iftar restaurants, known as Rahma restaurants, to ensure the quality of services offered to fasting residents.
Among the measures, Oushan decided to strictly prohibit the filming of Ramadan basket distribution operations by municipalities and relevant departments.
The move has fueled debate across Algerian social media platforms.
The “Ramadan basket” is one of the humanitarian initiatives traditionally organized by authorities and charitable associations to support poor and needy families.
It consists of food parcels containing essential staples that are widely consumed during Ramadan.
Many social media users welcomed the decision, saying it supports popular demands to preserve the dignity of aid recipients.
Others, however, argued that the ban should not be enforced arbitrarily, noting that some charities share videos and photos of their work to encourage donations and promote charitable initiatives.
Social specialist Abdelhafid Sandouqi said Algerians are naturally inclined toward kindness and charity during Ramadan, whether individually or through associations.
He said charitable work is often accompanied by a preference for discretion, which beneficiaries also appreciate.
“No one takes pride in poverty or in receiving assistance,” he said, warning that revealing recipients’ identities could harm them socially.
Sandouqi added that charities seeking to encourage donations may document their daily activities in preparing and distributing meals, but without revealing beneficiaries’ identities or specifying neighborhoods in ways that could expose families.
He also noted that some poor individuals, due to urgent need, reluctantly agree to being filmed or speaking to the camera.
“This is something that should be avoided,” he said, stressing that such practices may increase donors while reducing beneficiaries.
Samir Sahraoui, a volunteer with the charitable association Al-Wi’am, said the group works to meet as many requests from those in need as possible during Ramadan.
He said the group’s efforts go beyond distributing Ramadan baskets, extending to organizing Rahma restaurants, group iftar events and other initiatives.
Sahraoui added that the association regularly shares information about its charitable activities throughout the year but never publishes private details about beneficiaries.
“We take the utmost care to ensure no images appear in which viewers could recognize them,” he said, describing the work as purely humanitarian.
He concluded that transparency between charities and their followers does not necessarily require exposing recipients.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
3 min read
