Free Malta Guinness Distributed To Fasting Muslims!

An authoritative Islamic Newspaper is working with Guinness Nigeria Plc to distribute its flagship non-alcoholic malt drink, Malta Guinness, to fasting Muslims in different locations in Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria.

The collaboration, the first of its kind, is part of Guinness’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) aimed at cushioning the adverse  economic effect of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown which has impacted adversely on economic and religious activities in the holy month of Ramadan.

The distribution exercise led by the Muslim News Publisher; Rasheed Abubakar saw hundreds of fasting Muslims and non-Muslims throng the main distribution centre at Pent House, Surulere area of Lagos on Friday.

Abubakar and his team moved to other Local government areas in the State, including Coker/Aguda, Orile, Mushin, Awoyokun, Onipanu, Somolu, Ojuelegba and Offin Ile, in Ikorodu to put smiles on faces of fasting Muslims with the free Malta Guinness.

They also distributed dozens of cases to Mosques including Alhaji Kilani Mosque, Ojuelegba; Alhaji Alebiosu Central Mosque, Palmgroove, Alhaji Ayolo Central Mosque, Ijesha, among others.

Abubakar expressed gratitude to Guinness Nigeria for the collaborative effort.
He said with a thousand cases of its premium non-alcoholic Malt drink, Nigerian Muslims will be have the brand registered in their memories.

The Publisher, in an interview with journalists, said Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a period of intense religious and great charitable activities especially to the indigent and vulnerable fasting Muslims.

According to him:

“This year’s Ramadan is coming at a period the world is battling to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. As a reliable Muslim newspaper, we felt the need to do something different apart from our primary responsibility, which is the provision of fact-based Islamic news.

“First, we must stay stronger together as Nigerians irrespective of religious persuasions and stand collectively by following all the health and precautionary guidelines to bring an end to this pandemic. Then, there is the need to provide palliatives for indigent persons, particularly fasting Muslims, more importantly, as Ramadan itself is a period of giving.

“Any time we publish activities of Islamic NGOs giving out money, food or other relief packages, we receive countless requests for support from indigent persons – Muslims and non-Muslims. So, most times we refer them to these Foundations since we are a News organisation and not an NGO.

“Luckily for us, the Guinness Nigeria Plc Team reached out to us. They decided to give us 1000 cases of Malta Guinness for distribution to fasting Muslims. Interestingly, the company has embarked on this distribution of her non-alcoholic drink to support the palliative measures being undertaken by some states. We’re very grateful to them for this kind gesture. Alhamdulillah, he added.”

Beneficiaries excited

Some of the beneficiaries of the Malta Guinness  drinks who spoke with newsmen at various distribution points across local government areas in Lagos were excited about the kind gesture of Guinness Nigeria and its facilitator, Muslim News Nigeria.

“I’d like to commend the gesture from Guinness Nigeria in collaboration with Muslim News Nigeria. I must say that it is timely and apt given the unusual  times we find ourselves,” one of the beneficiaries in Surulere, Ishola Ishaq said.

“Virtually everyone is in need during this Ramadan period observed under lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic. I appreciate them and pray that Allah will not deny them the reward,” he stated.

A Christian lady in Offin Ile, Ikorodu, who simply identified herself as Iya Bobo was happy to benefit from the free drinks. She told journalists that she never thought that she would be considered for the gesture since she is not a Muslim.

“I was just going out when I saw them sharing the drink. I asked a Muslim lady who said it’s free but not sure if I would be given since I am not a Muslim. I decided to wait to see if they will give me. Surprisingly, they didn’t ask me about my faith when I received the free malt. May God bless them. This is the best way to go”.

Another beneficiary, Fausiyah Taofeeq said the gesture was commendable, especially at this point in time where everyone has been impacted by the situation facing the world.

“Feeding a fasting Muslim, either with food or drink, also attracts reward from Allah. I pray for the progress of both Muslim News and Guinness Nigeria. May Allah bless them,” she stated.

According to Mr AbdurRazaq Iyiola,

“I thank Allah for being alive to witness this holy month of Ramadan. I also appreciate the kind gesture of Guinness Nigeria and Muslim News. They have shown us love in this holy month of Ramadan. My prayer is that Allah will continues to make them wax stronger and be with them.

“I expect more of this in the coming Ramadan and even beyond. May Allah assist all Muslims in the world and save us from the current pandemic ravaging the globe,” he noted.

On his part, Mr Mustafa Omodamisi expressed his heartfelt appreciation to Guinness Nigeria Plc and Muslim News for the Ramadan package, while decrying the dearth of Muslim-owned news media in Nigeria.

“I look forward to seeing many more media outlets that will stand by Islam and report issues affecting Muslims like Muslim News is doing today in Nigeria. It is common knowledge that Muslim achievers and events are being downplayed and underreported in the mainstream media today in Nigeria.

“This is as a result of the dearth of Muslim-owned media outfits across  Nigeria. So, I urge well meaning individuals and corporate organizations to take up this task of venturing into the media industry as championed by Muslim News. May Allah continue to be with the team,” he prayed.