Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Wiki Loves Ramadan in Africa 2026 (ID: 23647474)

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Applicant Details

Main Wikimedia username. (required)

Ayyuha Sideeq

Organization

N/A

If you are a group or organization leader, board member, president, executive director, or staff member at any Wikimedia group, affiliate, or Wikimedia Foundation, you are required to self-identify and present all roles. (required)

I'm a group leader of a Wikimedia User Group (submitted to the Affiliation Committee).

Describe all relevant roles with the name of the group or organization and description of the role. (required)

As the Vice President (Outreach) of the Wikimedia Fan Club, University of Ilorin, I have being promoting the club’s mission and strengthening its presence within and beyond the university community which is tailored the wikimedia mission, visions as goals . In this role, I lead outreach initiatives, organize awareness campaigns and actively engage new members through orientations, training sessions, and edit-a-thons, ensuring that participation is inclusive. I collaborate with the executive team to plan and execute impactful events, manage communication efforts, and represent the club at external Wikimedia engagements. Through these responsibilities, I have been contributing to expanding the reach of Wikimedia projects, fostering collaboration, and encouraging students to take part in open knowledge sharing and digital literacy initiatives.

Main Proposal

1. Please state the title of your proposal. This will also be the Meta-Wiki page title.

Wiki Loves Ramadan in Africa 2026

2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.

2026-03-01 - 2026-04-30

4. Where will this proposal be implemented? (required)

Nigeria

5. Are your activities part of a Wikimedia movement campaign, project, or event? If so, please select the relevant project or campaign. (required)

Wiki Loves Africa

6. What is the change you are trying to bring? What are the main challenges or problems you are trying to solve? Describe this change or challenges, as well as main approaches to achieve it. (required)

Wiki Loves Ramadan in Africa 2026: Rites and Rituals (WLA) aims to bridge the critical knowledge gaps on Wikimedia by documenting the diverse rites, rituals, traditions, heritage, and historical figures associated with Ramadan and its concluding festival celebrations. Despite being observed by over a billion people globally, related content on Wikimedia platforms remains sparse, fragmented, and not concentrated in Africa

This year’s theme, “Rites and Rituals,” seeks to change this narrative by mobilizing contributors and Wikimedia communities to expand and enrich platforms such as Wikimedia Commons with authentic documentation of Ramadan’s sacred and communal practices. These include Suhoor (pre-dawn meals) in Sudan, Morocco, Tunisia, Nigeria., Iftar (breaking of fast), ritual ablution (ghusl and wudu), night prayers (Tarawih and Tahajjud), Quran recitation, Zakat (charitable giving), and Eid celebrations.

Beyond improving the representation of Islamic culture, history, and festival celebrations, this project aims to empower underrepresented voices, preserve intangible heritage, and strengthen intercultural understanding, ensuring Wikimedia becomes a more inclusive and representative space for all.

However, challenges remain, including the underrepresentation of local Ramadan traditions, limited quality media documentation, low visibility of regional cultural perspectives, and limited participation from Wikimedia communities in Africa in documenting everyday rituals of faith and reflection.

To address these challenges, Wiki Loves Ramadan in Africa 2026: Rites and Rituals will implement creative and innovative strategies. The campaign will highlight community-specific rites and practices through digital storytelling featuring oral histories, photographs, short videos, and multimedia documentation of people sharing Suhoor and Iftar in Alegria, Sudan, Nigeria and other African countries', performing ablutions, attending mosque prayers, or participating in communal Eid celebrations. Gamified participation, using leaderboards and digital badges, will attract younger contributors and encourage friendly competition.

Cross-cultural Suhoor and Iftar gatherings will serve as spaces for interaction, dialogue, and knowledge exchange among participants nationwide. Additionally, structured mentorship programs, hands-on training sessions, and post-contest follow-ups will promote sustained engagement and long-term editor retention within the Wikimedia ecosystem.

To further celebrate local creativity, interactive cultural exhibitions will showcase participants’ contributions that highlight Ramadan rites and festival traditions, fostering broader recognition of African Muslim heritage. A special challenge will also reward contributors who document unique regional customs, traditional attire, sacred symbols, and cultural artifacts related to Ramadan observances.

Wiki Loves Ramadan in Africa 2026: Rites and Rituals seeks not only to enhance Wikimedia’s coverage of Ramadan and festival celebrations but also to nurture sustainable, diverse knowledge communities that continue to thrive beyond the contest ensuring that the spirit, devotion, and cultural beauty of Ramadan’s rites and rituals are preserved for generations to come.

7. What are the planned activities? (required) Please provide a list of main activities. You can also add a link to the public page for your project where details about your project can be found. Alternatively, you can upload a timeline document. When the activities include partnerships, include details about your partners and planned partnerships.

1. Targeted Outreach

Outreach through community groups, affiliates, mailing lists, and social media platforms.
Distribution of outreach materials such as leaflets, posters, and press releases.
Planned partnerships with local Wikimedia affiliates, student associations, and cultural organizations to support localized outreach and engagement.

2. Training & Mentorship

Online and in-person workshops on editing basics and uploading to Wikimedia Commons.
Mentorship programs pairing new contributors with experienced Wikimedians for guidance and skill development.
Support for editors in underrepresented regions through tailored resources and one-on-one mentorship.

3. Contest Activities

Edit-a-thons focused on improving the quality of photo contributions on Wikimedia Commons.
Photo/Media Drive: Encouraging participants to upload Ramadan- and festival-related photos, videos, and audio recordings.
Awards and recognition for outstanding and high-quality contributions.

4. Communications Campaign

A national social media campaign to raise awareness about the contest.
Engagement of social media specialists to enhance online visibility and reach.
Outreach in local languages to connect effectively with diverse communities across different regions.

5. Monitoring & Evaluation

Use of the Programs & Events Dashboard to monitor participant contributions in real time.
Participant satisfaction surveys and feedback sessions to gather insights and improve future editions.
Metrics analysis to evaluate the quality of contributions, articles, and media uploads.

8. Describe your team. Please provide their roles, Wikimedia Usernames and other details. (required) Include more details of the team, including their roles, usernames, Wikimedia group, and whether they are salaried, volunteers, consultants/contractors, etc. Team members involved in the grant application need to be aware of their involvement in the project.

1. Project Lead (Manager) - User:Ayyuha Sideeq Ayyuha Sideeq is an experienced Wikimedia editor and a member of the English User Group. He currently serves as the Vice President (Outreach) of the Wikimedia Fan Club, University of Ilorin, where he is recognized for his outstanding contributions, including being awarded the Best Male Contributor of the Year 2024. He has played pivotal roles in various projects, such as facilitating the Wiki and Health Articles in Nigeria Project and serving as Communication Manager and facilitator for the AfroHistory: Nigerian Legends and Heroes Project. His efforts in the Wikimedia Promotion in Ogbomosho campaign earned him recognition as the Highest Photo Contributor and Third Top Editor. In addition to these achievements, Ayyuha has excelled in several initiatives, ranking as the Second Top Editor in the Art and Feminism Project at the University of Ilorin. He also emerged as the Third Top Contributor at Wiki Loves Africa Unilorin 2024 and the Fourth Top Contributor at Feminism and Folklore Ilorin 2024. His active involvement extends to events such as the Wiki Climate Campus Tour and the Wikidata 11th Birthday Celebration, reflecting his deep commitment to promoting Wikimedia awareness and fostering a vibrant editing community in Nigeria.

2. Regional Coordinator and Ambassador - Africa - User:Tesleemah Tesleemah (Community liason) Tesleemah was the Community Liasion for Africa for the global Wiki Loves Ramadan 2025 She was the project lead of Visibility of Health articles on English Wikipedia 2.0, the project lead of Wiki and Health articles in Nigeria 1.0, the project lead of Wikimedia Awareness in Akure. She was one of the core organizers of the Wikiclimate Campus Tour Nigeria project, One of the participants of African growth pilot organized by the Wikimedia Foundation, she is a Certified Organiser for the organizer lab.

3. Advisory Body and Global Coordinator - User:Zi jony 4. 2 Local Coordinators in Africa (vacant)

9. Who are the target participants and from which community? How will you engage participants before and during the activities? How will you follow up with participants after the activities? (required)

Wiki Loves Ramadan in Africa 2026, under the theme “Rites and Rituals,” will welcome a diverse group of participants, including Wikimedia contributors, students, educators, professionals, cultural and Islamic organizations, and individuals passionate about documenting the sacred and social practices that define Ramadan and its concluding festival celebrations.

The campaign will spotlight the rituals that characterize the holy month, from the early morning Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and the evening Iftar (breaking of fast) to ritual ablutions (ghusl), communal prayers (Tarawih and Tahajjud), Zakat (charitable giving), and the Eid rites that mark the end of fasting. Participants will be encouraged to capture and share visual including people eating Suhoor and Iftar, preparing traditional meals, performing ablution, gathering for night prayers, and celebrating with family and community.

Special emphasis will be placed on engaging underrepresented Islamic communities across regions such as the Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, and others, ensuring their unique expressions of Ramadan rituals are preserved and represented on platforms like Wikimedia Commons.

Before and during the contest, participants will be supported through pre-campaign orientation sessions, training workshops, task lists, editing guides, and mentorship programs facilitated via online chat groups. Engagement will remain high through monthly micro-challenges, edit-a-thons, and community storytelling events that focus on different aspects of Ramadan rites such as fasting, prayer, charity, and Eid preparations. Visibility will be maintained through active promotion on Wikimedia Village Pumps, mailing lists, Telegram groups, and social media platforms.

After the contest, contributors will receive certificates of participation, personalized feedback, and connections to local affiliates and user groups to sustain their involvement. A comprehensive impact report will highlight participation metrics, content contributions, and notable success stories. Outstanding works documenting Rites and Rituals of Ramadan in Africa will be showcased at Wikimania and other global Wikimedia events, ensuring that participants’ contributions continue to illuminate the beauty and diversity of Ramadan traditions long after the holy month concludes.

10. Does your project involve work with children or youth? (required)

No

10.1. Please provide a link to your Youth Safety Policy. (required) If the proposal indicates direct contact with children or youth, you are required to outline compliance with international and local laws for working with children and youth, and provide a youth safety policy aligned with these laws. Read more here.

N/A

11. How did you discuss the idea of your project with your community members and/or any relevant groups? Please describe steps taken and provide links to any on-wiki community discussion(s) about the proposal. (required) You need to inform the community and/or group, discuss the project with them, and involve them in planning this proposal. You also need to align the activities with other projects happening in the planned area of implementation to ensure collaboration within the community.

To ensure that Wiki Loves Ramadan in Africa (WLA) 2026, under the theme “Rites and Rituals,” is built on a foundation of inclusivity, collaboration, and shared ownership, we will engage community members and relevant groups at every stage of the planning process. This approach is designed not only to gather diverse input but also to foster a sense of collective responsibility for celebrating and preserving the spiritual and cultural essence of Ramadan rites across Africa.

1. Regional and Thematic Collaboration Recognizing the vast diversity in Ramadan rites and rituals across different African regions from the Hausa Iftar gatherings, Yoruba communal Suhoor, and Igbo Eid festivities, to the shared acts of ritual ablution, prayer, and charity. we will actively coordinate with Wikimedia affiliates, Islamic and cultural organizations, and diaspora communities. This collaboration ensures that the campaign reflects the authentic local practices of fasting, prayer, reflection, and celebration while aligning with ongoing regional Wikimedia initiatives. By bridging local cultural contexts with the project’s global vision, we aim to create a collective archive that honors the diversity of Ramadan’s rites and rituals, avoiding duplication and amplifying underrepresented voices.

2. Inclusive Communication and Outreach To capture the full spectrum of Ramadan’s sacred rituals, our multilingual communication campaign will reach contributors through social media platforms, affiliate channels, and mailing lists. Engaging visuals, posters, videos, and participation guides will highlight activities such as pre-dawn Suhoor gatherings, Iftar meals shared in mosques and homes, ritual bathing before prayers, and Zakat (charitable giving). These materials will inspire participants both seasoned Wikimedians and first-time contributors to document, share, and celebrate the spiritual and communal experiences that define Ramadan across Africa. Through open communication, collaborative storytelling, and inclusive engagement, Wiki Loves Ramadan in Africa 2026 will stand as a shared effort to document the beauty, devotion, and cultural richness of Rites and Rituals that unite millions during the holy month.

12. Does your proposal aim to work to bridge any of the content knowledge gaps (Knowledge Inequity)? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)

Cultural background, ethnicity, religion, racial

13. Does your proposal include any of these areas or thematic focus? Select one option that most applies to your work. (required)

Culture, heritage or GLAM

14. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)

Ethnic/racial/religious or cultural background

15. In what ways do you think your proposal most contributes to the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations. Select one that most applies. (required)

Increase the Sustainability of Our Movement

Learning and metrics

17. What do you hope to learn from your work in this project or proposal? (required)

As a Wikimedia editor who has previously contributed to various projects, I see Wiki Loves Ramadan in Africa 2026, under the theme “Rites and Rituals,” as an opportunity to build on my existing experience while exploring new ways of documenting culture and traditions. I hope to learn how large-scale, multilingual campaigns can unite contributors from diverse backgrounds, and how best practices from previous projects can be adapted to support underrepresented Islamic communities. I also aim to gain deeper insights into improving content creation strategies particularly how to inspire contributors to document customs and traditions in ways that balance quality with quantity. These lessons, combined with the skills I have gained from past projects, will strengthen my ability to contribute meaningfully to Wikimedia campaigns, promote inclusivity, and ensure that Islamic culture and heritage are well represented on a global scale.

18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)

Number of participants, editors, and organizers
Other Metrics	Target	Optional description
Number of participants	100
Number of editors	94
Number of organizers	6

Number of content contributions to Wikimedia projects
Wikimedia project	Number of content created or improved
Wikipedia
Wikimedia Commons	600
Wikidata
Wiktionary
Wikisource
Wikimedia Incubator
Translatewiki
MediaWiki
Wikiquote
Wikivoyage
Wikibooks
Wikiversity
Wikinews
Wikispecies
Wikifunctions or Abstract Wikipedia

Optional description for content contributions.

N/A

19. Do you have any other project targets in numbers (metrics)? (optional)

No

Main Open Metrics Data
Main Open Metrics	Description	Target
N/A	N/A	N/A
N/A	N/A	N/A
N/A	N/A	N/A
N/A	N/A	N/A
N/A	N/A	N/A

20. What tools would you use to measure each metrics? Please refer to the guide for a list of tools. You can also write that you are not sure and need support. (required)

Reviewing Content Quality (Articles & Media)

Tool: Fountain, Montage Purpose: Review and evaluate submitted articles and media to ensure quality, relevance, and compliancSocial Media and Outreach Impact Tool: Meta Business Suite, LinkedIn Ads, Twitter Analytics Purpose: Monitor campaign visibility, audience reach, and engagement across digital platforms to measure awareness and community impact.

. Volunteer and Participant Satisfaction

Tool: Google Forms Purpose: Collect structured feedback from participants and volunteers through post-event surveys to evaluate satisfaction and gather lessons learned.

. Financial Accountability and Reporting

Tool: Google Sheets / Commons Category Stats Purpose: Ensure transparent tracking of project expenses, analyze structured data contributions, and generate reports on Commons uploads and category statistics.e with Wikimedia standards

Financial proposal

21. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it. (required)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mqTUTNw0Od5ih_iTce3H6Sarv4gRVR7-HEDPqwQHRYo/edit?gid=0#gid=0

22. and 22.1. What is the amount you are requesting for this proposal? Please provide the amount in your local currency. (required)

4000000 NGN

22.2. Convert the amount requested into USD using the Oanda converter. This is done only to help you assess the USD equivalent of the requested amount. Your request should be between 500 - 5,000 USD.

2735.17 USD

We/I have read the Application Privacy Statement, WMF Friendly Space Policy and Universal Code of Conduct.

Yes

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Stating why the proposal is important for the communities involved and why they think the strategies chosen will achieve the results that are expected.
Highlighting any aspects they think are particularly well developed: for instance, the strategies and activities proposed, the levels of community engagement, outreach to underrepresented groups, addressing knowledge gaps, partnerships, the overall budget and learning and evaluation section of the proposal, etc.
Highlighting if the proposal focuses on any interesting research, learning or innovation, etc. Also if it builds on learning from past proposals developed by the individual or organization, or other Wikimedia communities.
Analyzing if the proposal is going to contribute in any way to important developments around specific Wikimedia projects or Movement Strategy.
Analysing if the proposal is coherent in terms of the objectives, strategies, budget, and expected results (metrics).

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