Muslims Donate 10 Tonnes Of Food To Help Homeless At Christmas

Muslims have donated 10 tonnes of food at a drive held at East London Mosque to help the homeless this Christmas.

Over 7,500 people attended the event after Friday prayers (jummah) where volunteers gathered donations including rice, pasta, cereal, tinned goods, and other items.

More than 90 per cent of the donations will benefit non-Muslims via the charity Crisis, and the Chief Imam affirmed that ‘it is a religious duty for Muslims to try to help others, irrespective of a person’s faith or background’.

Christian Reverend Gary Bradley attended and supported the event, praising it as a great example of ‘all faiths working together for a common humanity’, the Independent reports.

Shaykh Abdul Qayum, Chief Imam of the East London Mosque, said:

Muslims are inspired by their faith towards helping others in need. It is a religious duty for Muslims to try to help others, irrespective of a person’s faith or background.

In the cold winter months when we have the luxury of a home and hot food, it’s easy to forget about others that are in dire need around us. So it is in that spirit we take part in this big food drive.

More than 3,500 people slept on the streets every night last year…a 30 per cent increase from 2014.

Now imagine all of those that slipped through statistics, or those who do not fit the traditional stereotype of rough sleepers, but are homeless nonetheless.

Argos and Tesco also donated to the food drive organised by Muslim Aid and the East London Mosque.

The food is now being distributed to food banks and shelters all over the UK.

UNILAD