Islamic Relief UK and Celtic FC Foundation distribute food packs to welcome Dhul-Hijjah

Islamic Relief UK and Celtic FC Foundation distribute 500 essential food packs in Glasgow as Muslims prepare to welcome the month of Dhul-Hijjah.

On Wednesday 7 July, Islamic Relief UK joined up with Celtic FC Foundation to distribute 500 essential food packs to vulnerable people including the homeless, asylum seekers, refugees and women who have suffered domestic abuse. Food was also put aside for school children beginning their summer holidays.The distribution happens as Muslims prepare to welcome the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar, Dhul-Hijjah, a sacred period in which Hajj and Eid-al-Adha* take place.

Islamic Relief UK worked closely with Celtic FC Foundation, who packed the boxes of essentials at Carlton Parkhead Parish Church – around the corner from Celtic Park – before distributing to 14 local organisations such as Glasgow Gurdwara, Glasgow NE Foodbank, Urban Fox, Empower Women for Change and Lanarkshire Mosque.

The packs, which contained cereal, juice, milk, beans, 1kg of rice, pasta, and various tinned produce were distributed alongside sanitary products such as shower gel. On the day, over 5.625 tonnes of food were delivered to those in need.

Islamic Relief UK and Celtic FC Foundation are hopeful that the essentials will provide vulnerable community groups in Glasgow a more comfortable summer, especially as lockdown eases across the UK. The deliveries went to both Muslims and non-Muslims.

Later this month, Muslims will celebrate Eid-al-Adha, the latter of two Islamic holidays. This distribution with Celtic FC Foundation marks the beginning of a month of food packing and deliveries for those in need with partners across the country. By the end of July, Islamic Relief UK intends on providing 4,700 more food packs nationwide.

Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK said:

“The Celtic FC Foundation have been integral in our Glasgow-based distribution this week. Working as our partner, they have helped us identify both vulnerable people and community groups in the city.

“We distributed alongside 12 of their trusted partners with an aim of reaching refugees, asylum seekers, those who have suffered domestic abuse, school children who have just started their summer holidays and many more.

“Since the pandemic, we have seen many families fall into deprivation and we are doing our upmost to support those who need it most. Earlier this year, we undertook a similar venture with Liverpool FC and will continue to work with partners throughout the UK this July to deliver thousands more food packs.”

Tony Hamilton, Celtic FC Foundation CEO said:

“We are very grateful to Islamic Relief UK for funding this Glasgow-wide food drive initiative. And we’re also very grateful to around a dozen or so of our partners across the city who have managed to get the food and provisions to 500 families who need it urgently. Our thanks too to Dunn’s Foods in Blantyre and Aldi at the Forge Retail Park.

“We knew this food drive initiative took place across the country, including at Liverpool FC, and we were delighted to receive the funding in order that we could do the same thing across Glasgow. It’s unimaginable the hardship that many families and individuals are facing right now, and this goes a long way to alleviate that.

“Celtic FC Foundation’s Football For Good Fund has thrived in the past 16 months because so many people have played a part. Our Trustees and the team at the Foundation and across the football club are committed to ensuring we reach as many people as we possibly can for the next few months. But for that to happen we need the support from the likes of Islamic Relief UK, our other funders, and individual supporters across the globe to continue.”

ENDSFor more information, contact:

Armani Ur-Rub, Senior Media Officer at Islamic Relief UK
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 0771 038 9316

What is Eid Al-Adha?*

Eid-Al-Adha, or the Festival of Sacrifice, is the second of two world-wide Islamic celebrations each year.

In the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid-Al-Adha falls on the 10^th day of Dhul-Hijjah and lasts four days. In the Gregorian calendar, the date shifts each year.

As part of Eid, Muslims around the globe sacrifice meat to commemorate the actions of Prophet Ibrahim. This is called Qurbani.

About Islamic Relief 
Islamic Relief is a faith-inspired, development and humanitarian agency working to transform and save the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in over 40 countries. Islamic Relief assists people according to need and does not discriminate in any way.

Set up in Birmingham in 1984 by a group of volunteers, we have assisted over 117 million people all over the world. We’re saving lives and empowering people to lift themselves out of poverty in over 37 countries – from Bangladesh to Bosnia, Pakistan to Palestine, Kenya to Kosovo. Islamic Relief is on the ground in some of the world’s most dangerous and difficult places – including Syria and Yemen – strengthening the most marginalised communities to withstand conflict and natural disasters and to build a brighter future. We also support vulnerable people in the UK in partnership with local charities and organisations.

About Celtic FC Foundation: 

Celtic Football Club was formed in 1887 with the purpose of raising money for the poor in the East End of Glasgow. The vision of the Founding Fathers continues to this day through the work of the club’s charitable arm, Celtic FC Foundation. Our aim is to help those living in poverty through a range of initiatives targeting hunger, employability, social inclusion and education. While faithful to the legacy and ethos of our Founders locally, we are open to respond to national and international crisis, reflecting the outlook of supporters and the Club.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were forced to pause all of our traditional project delivery and fundraising activities and, in response to the crisis, our entire focus was redirected to alleviating the evolving complications through the launch of our Football for Good Fund (FFGF) on Friday, March 20, 2020, to assist those most in need.

Since then, thanks to the wonderful backing of the Celtic support throughout the world, the Fund has risen to over £1.3m and we have worked with a host of partner organisations to assist those most affected.