A Muslim man with a disability has been refused extra support by his local council to help him eat, drink and pray whilst fasting during Ramadan.
Imraan Adam, 26, who has cerebral palsy often making use of electric wheelchairs because of this, has been denied additional care by Derby City Council because he already has 24-hour care service. Mr Adam recently gained a first-class degree in journalism from the University of Derby and has fasted during the month of Ramadan since the age of 10.
He understands that there are extra costs for the service which is around £30 a day for a care worker to begin their shift earlier to assist him for Suhoor, Fajr and ifthaar. However, Derby City Council stated that Mr Adam cannot have any extra funding to pay for the extra care.
Mr Adam, who is originally from Leicester, said: “I really need this help. It is not a question of wanting the extra care, I need it. We live in a society where disabled people are supposed to be included in society. At the end of the day if I can’t fast then I am being excluded from Muslim society as all my family and friends will be fasting at the same time.”
Mohammed Abdullah, 25, who was studying at the University of Derby at the same time as Mr Adam told 5 Pillarz: “Many Muslims at the university knew Imraan. He was a devout Muslim and always studied hard. This news came as a shock to those who know him. I think it’s really unfair that local authorities are unable to provide extra care for people with disabilities but are physically fit for religious observations like fasting in the month of Ramadan.
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“I believe the extra care was already being provided to Imraan previously during Ramadan, but now the council want to charge him extra but unwilling to assist him financially, this is wrong.”
Alternative options
Derby City Council has stated that there is capacity in Mr Adam’s care package to shift times to allow for his religious observance. Cabinet member for adults and health, Councillor Mark Tilley said: “In this instance Mr Adam’s request for additional hours was turned down due to the fact that he is already in receipt of 24-hour care, which includes dual carer support twice daily.
“It was considered that there was capacity within the substantial level of support currently in place to adjust the timing and/or duration of calls to support the changing pattern of his day when observing Ramadan.”
Other alternative options explained to Mr Adam included receiving his support through a direct payment which the council said could “increase flexibility, control and value for money from his personal budget”.
Since 2009, Mr Adam had been able to have his care extended to include the two hours before sunrise for Ramadan, but this year his care provider confirmed this cannot be done without an extra charge.
Mr Tittley said discussions would take place “to gain a better understanding of Mr Adam’s needs and to explore any health and safety implications”.
The Derby City Council will be meeting Mr Adam to discuss an appeal in this week.
