11 Ways to Show Solidarity With Muslims in Prisons This Ramadan and Beyond
by Amaliah Team in Ramadan on 26th March, 2025
The prison system around the world isn’t just broken—it was never built for justice to begin with.
In the UK, Muslims make up 18% of the prison population despite being only 6.5% of the general population, and these figures keep growing. Many of them turn to Islam for strength, yet this often makes them a target of suspicion, surveillance, and mistreatment.
Across the US, Canada, and the UK, incarcerated Muslims frequently face neglect, abuse, isolation, lack of access to religious resources, and struggles in staying connected to the community. They are often denied Jummah prayers, suhoor during Ramadan, and halal meals. For Muslim women, the challenges are even greater as they face stigma, financial hardship, and harassment from both prisoners and staff.
The struggles continue even after release, as they deal with barriers to housing, employment, and reconnecting with their families. The prison system not only punishes individuals but destabilises families, pushing children of incarcerated parents into foster care and perpetuating cycles of poverty and criminalisation.
In Islam, justice is about fairness, not punishment. The early Muslim community under Umar ibn al-Khattab RA understood that crime doesn’t occur in a vaccuum and is often linked to broader social issues.
For example, when famine spread, the punishment for theft was suspended because justice requires context. But today, our systems of policing, prisons, and surveillance often maintain inequality instead of addressing the social issues that drive crime in the first place.
While we push for better systems, we can still show up for our Muslim brothers and sisters behind bars as it’s our duty to care for those in hardship. It’s also a way to show gratitude to Allah because none of us are where we are except through His mercy. Supporting initiatives for incarcerated Muslims can uplift their spirits and strengthen their connection to the community.
Allah tells us in the Qur’an that one of the qualities of those who will enter Jannah is that they free captives, saying, “And give food—despite their desire for it—to the poor, the orphan, and the captive.” (Surah Al-Insan 76:8)
Many great organisations in the UK, Canada, and the US are working to support incarcerated Muslims and improve their conditions. Here are 11 ways you can support and help them too.
1. Cage International
CAGE International was founded in 2003 in response to the state oppression unleashed by the War on Terror, including illegal detentions at Guantanamo Bay. They advocate for those imprisoned without trial and support Muslims impacted by unjust counter-terrorism laws by offering legal support, pushing for policy change, and calling out Islamophobia in policing and surveillance. Their work has helped free detainees from Guantanamo and exposed the UK’s Prevent strategy as discriminatory, forcing public scrutiny and strengthening protections for Muslim communities.
By educating communities about their rights and pushing back against oppressive laws, CAGE continues to fight for justice and freedom of prisoners around the world. You can support their work by donating, raising awareness, or attending their events.
2. Nejma Collective (UK)
A UK-based collective of Muslim volunteers working in solidarity with people in prison by sharing resources and mutual support. You can get involved by donating to their grants program, supporting their book fund, or participating in their Ramadan fundraiser. Beyond financial aid, the fundraiser helps provide emotional support and comfort to prisoners who are often struggling to survive.
3. Muslim Women in Prison Project (UK)
The Muslim Women in Prison Project at Al Khidmat Centres (UK) supports incarcerated Muslim women by providing faith-sensitive resources like hygiene kits, prayer mats, and Qur’ans to help them stay connected to Islam while in prison. Funded by Islamic Relief UK, the project also helps these women reintegrate into society after release by offering support with housing, education, benefits, training and employment while rebuilding connections with family and faith.
The project also addresses sensitive issues like domestic violence, mental health, self-harm and depression in a safe, non-judgmental space. By supporting this project, you can help Muslim women rebuild their lives with dignity and hope, free from stigma.
4. Muslim Prisoner Project (UK)
A nonprofit organisation dedicated to supporting incarcerated Muslims by providing quality religious literature and connecting them with their families. They offer two unique services:
- The Muslim Prisoner Project’s Eid Gift Program delivers Eid gifts to children whose parents are in prison, making sure those kids feel loved and remembered on this special occasion. If you’re a caretaker of a child with an incarcerated parent, you can fill out a form on their website, and they will send a gift directly to the child’s doorstep on behalf of their parent. Many of the children are cared for by non-Muslim guardians, and this initiative helps them maintain their connection to Islam. It would be a disservice to the Ummah if we overlooked them, especially at this time of the year.
- The Muslim Prisoner Project’s Book Club provides the latest high-quality books and literature to inmates and sends Islamic books to prison libraries, ensuring that incarcerated Muslims have access to literature that enriches their faith. You can get involved by donating books or funds to purchase literature.
5. The Preston People’s Collective (Canada)
View this post on InstagramA post shared by The Preston People’s Collective (@prestonpeoplescollective)
The Preston People’s Collective is a grassroots group in Preston dedicated to building solidarity through education and community action. This Ramadan, they hosted a reflection on political prisoners who have had to observe the month behind bars and those experiencing their first Eid in prison. As an act of solidarity, they did a teach-in on resistance, followed by Eid card-making and letter-writing for the Filton18 prisoners. You can follow them on Instagram to stay updated on ways to support their work.
6. Islamic Relief – Worship Kits for Muslim Inmates (Canada)
It can be especially challenging for Muslims who are incarcerated in prisons to observe religious obligations with dignity and respect.
Islamic Relief Canada has carefully curated kits for Muslim inmates that you can directly buy on their website and donate. These essential worship kits include prayer mats, hijabs, kufis, Qur’ans, and other items which help ensure that inmates have the tools they need to provide some form of ease in practicing Islam while in prison.
7. Muslim Freedom Fund (MFF) (Canada)
A community-led initiative, MFF is on a mission to uplift Muslims in vulnerable spaces across Toronto by providing basic support to those in need. Their initiatives include distributing hygiene kits and other necessities to Muslims in shelters, as well as stocking community fridges across the city to help combat food insecurity.
Recently, MFF organised an event where they gathered to write Eid cards for Muslims spending Eid inside Ontario institutions. Every year, thousands of Muslims are behind bars during Ramadan and Eid, often feeling neglected by their communities. The prison system can be brutal, but letter-writing offers solidarity and kindness to those incarcerated.
8. Believers Bail Out (USA)
A national, community-led initiative that’s working to support Muslims facing pretrial incarceration and immigration detention by posting bail for those who can’t afford it, allowing them to be free while waiting for their trial.
By donating to their cause or getting involved in their fundraisers, you’re not only providing financial support but also helping offer crucial post-release resources. This makes a real difference in the lives of those impacted by the system, giving them the chance to rebuild their lives with dignity and support.
9. ICNA Council of Social Justice (ICNACSJ, USA)
ICNA CSJ works tirelessly to advocate for the rights of those affected by the justice system, including incarcerated individuals. They provide legal aid, facilitate mentorship, support prisoners’ families, and raise awareness of the conditions faced by those behind bars. They also run campaigns to raise funds for bail support and post-release services, uplifting and reintegrating people into society.
10. Tayba Foundation (US)
Tayba Foundation equips incarcerated Muslims with the tools they need to rebuild their lives by offering education, life skills, and reentry programs. During Ramadan, many prisoners experience iftar in silence with cold meals and pray in cramped spaces. Tayba ensures these individuals receive Islamic education, soft prayer mats to rest their heads when they go in sujood, halal meals, and most importantly, hope. You can support their work here.
11. Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) – Legal Advocacy (US)
A leading organisation in the US, CAIR offers essential legal aid and advocacy for incarcerated Muslims facing discrimination, lack of religious accommodations, or wrongful imprisonment. Their work is focused on ensuring that Muslim prisoners are treated justly and that their rights are upheld within the prison system.
Recently, CAIR has been actively supporting Muslim inmates who are denied basic religious freedoms such as access to prayer and halal food. They also advocate for those wrongfully imprisoned and work to address systemic injustices in the criminal justice system.
You can support CAIR’s legal efforts by donating to their cause or raising awareness about the challenges Muslim prisoners face.
By getting involved with these initiatives, you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of incarcerated Muslims. Whether through donating, writing letters, or raising awareness, your efforts can bring comfort, dignity, and connection to those facing hardship behind bars.
References
- Muslim prisoners unfairly targeted with pepper spray, says rights group
- The Challenges for Muslim Women in Prison and Post-Release
- Crime and Justice Institute, n.d. Muslim women in prison: Second-class citizens?
- The Prisoners Pepper-Sprayed While Praying
- Black and Muslim prisoners suffer worse treatment, study finds
- Islamic inmates need more religious support, say Muslim prison chaplains
Amaliah Team
This article was written by a member of the Amaliah team or a collective team effort. You can follow us on @amaliah_tweets for the latest or head over to our Instagram @amaliah_com. If you're reading this and are thinking about contributing an article then send us an email with a brief or a full article to contribute@amaliah.com
