Spreading the word of love and understanding, a Merseyside Muslim group in Liverpool will be giving out free food on Valentine’s Day to break down barriers and unite the community.
The donated food by Wirral Deen Centre will be made at Chaii Coffee, on Woodchurch Road in Prenton, which is opening for the first time on Sunday.
“My wife Safia is a really good cook and the Valentine’s Day offer will give people a chance to experience some really good food,” Ibrahim Syed, 37, the chair of the Wirral Deen Centre, told Liverpool Echo.
“The motto of the shop is ‘inspired by friendship’ and that is what it is about, friendship across the whole community.”
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A team of volunteers, including the town’s MP Mick Whitley will deliver meals to Birkenhead addresses on the day itself.
“Our area is a special place and the people are really friendly. Covid has made people realise we can’t do anything without basic friendship and love,” Syed said.
“This pandemic has got to come to an end and when it does we want to promote people coming together from across the community.”
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Praise
Mick Whitley, Labour MP for Birkenhead, praised the Muslim group’s initiative to help families at a difficult time of COVID-19.
“Thanks to this generosity we will be able to deliver free and tasty dinners to many families and individuals so they don’t miss out on celebrating Valentine’s Day,” Whitley said.
“I applaud the Deen Centre’s imagination, innovation and commitment to spreading the love and welcome their invitation for me to take part.”
“This typifies the spirit of solidarity and community cohesion that has been a hallmark of Birkenhead’s response to this terrible pandemic,” he added.
“Let’s spread the love on Valentine’s Day together.”
📚 Read Also: History Behind Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is an annual occasion celebrated on February 14. In the West, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their feelings for each other.
Islam does recognize happy occasions that bring people closer to one another and add spice to their lives.
However, Islam goes against blindly imitating non-Muslims regarding a special occasion such as Valentine’s Day.
Hence, Muslims believe marking the Valentine’s Day is an innovation or bid`ah that has no religious backing.