As Muslims observe Ramadan, charity efforts during the holy month and coronavirus pandemic are going on relentlessly.
Volunteers from a Newcastle Islamic school have won praise for overcoming fears of racially-motivated attacks to help frontline carers and vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Teams from Bahr Academy Islamic school have delivered more than 600 packages to paramedics, care homes, hospitals, and people in need during lockdown.
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“I have seen images of these young hijabi and niqabi girls delivering food and shopping to care homes and frontline staff,” said Coun Habib Rahman, the sheriff and deputy lord mayor of Newcastle, Chronicle Live reported.
“On a normal day, these girls feel scared to be roaming certain streets or certain parts of the city because of their own safety.
“All of a sudden, what they are wearing isn’t a problem. There is an energy and an enthusiasm about them and they are not thinking about the possibility of reprisals or attacks.
“All they care about is doing their best to help someone in need, and that is one of the fundamental teachings of Islam. I have nothing but praise and admiration for them.”
The Bahr Academy was the target of attacks by vandals last year.
“I hope when we are on the other side of this pandemic those far right wing extreme groups and their views remain hidden away like they have been recently,” Councilor Rahman added.
Month of Sharing
The month of Ramadan is definitely a month of sharing and solidarity.
One of the five pillars of Islam, fasting this month represents four weeks of charity, frugality, and piety during which Muslims must show selflessness and support to the poor.
A British Muslim, Haroon Mota, is running 260km over the course of the holy month to raise money for Penny Appeal’s Emergency Response program.
Arsenal Muslim midfielder Mesut Özil has also made a generous £80,000 donation to a Turkish charity to help Muslims during Ramadan amid coronavirus crisis.