Season of charity: Muslims give for Ramadan

Zamir Hassan had similar motivation for launching "Muslims Serve Days" through the New Jersey-based Muslims Against Hunger Project. On "serve days," volunteers visit soup kitchens to prepare and serve hot meals. The group will help out at Eva's Village in Paterson on Saturday.

This year, the group has a campaign under way called Good Deed Ramadan with the goal of serving 30,000 meals in 30 days. The work helps fulfill a Muslim's religious and civic duties, Hassan said.

Muslims say fasting during Ramadan teaches discipline and generosity, deepening feelings of mercy and empathy for those who are hungry and poor.

"If you go to bed and your neighbor is hungry, you have not fulfilled your obligation as a Muslim," Hassan said.