LONDON – A UK-based Muslim charity will launch a new campaign this Christmas to support refugees under the title “What Would Jesus Do.”?
“To some, it will seem strange that a Muslim charity is asking people what Jesus would do, that is, until they find out that Muslims also believe in Jesus,” a statement from the charity read, Asian Image reported.
“To Muslims, Jesus, like Muhammad, was a prophet and showed compassion and warmth to those in need. Christians will be celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. He taught his followers to feed the hungry and to love their neighbor.”
In the campaign, the Penny Appeal charity will unveil 5 life-size ice statues symbolizing homeless families to promote their winter campaign.
The frozen family will depict the plight of the 140 families who become homeless every day, and the 900 children who become homeless every month in the UK.
According to the statement, “Asking “What Would Jesus Do?” campaign will align people from all backgrounds together in the spirit of giving during the festive winter period.
It will be launched this Friday at Canary Wharf station by The Rt Revd Paul Hendricks, Baroness Warsi, and Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra.
“Many homeless people remain hidden from view during winter, choosing to bus-surf or find other means of keeping warm,” the statement added.
“Both Muslims and Christians are inspired by their faiths to help them.
“We are placing the sculptures outside of the warm, cheerful interiors of some of London’s biggest offices to inspire people to give to an otherwise invisible community, just as Jesus would do.”
As part of the campaign, volunteers from Penny Appeal’s Team Orange will be distributing emergency relief to the homeless throughout the festive period.
They will also host an afternoon tea for elderly people who might be cold or lonely during winter and delivering gifts to children in hospital to offer some cheer during the festive season.
Christmas is the main festival on the Christian calendar.
Muslims believe in Jesus as one of the great Prophets of God and that he was born miraculously, conceived with no father, to his mother, Mary, but not that he was the Son of God.
While Muslims regard Jesus as a holy prophet, most do not celebrate his birthday, a date historians note could not have been in December at all.