Islamic Relief UK and East London Mosque distribute food packs to help struggling families in London

Islamic Relief UK and East London Mosque team up to help some of the most vulnerable families in London.

As families in London continue to struggle financially due to the pandemic, Islamic Relief UK and East London Mosque distributed 500 winter food packs to some of the most vulnerable on Tuesday 18 January.

The food packs will support families who are facing hardship because of cuts to universal credit, losing their jobs due to covid-19 and increased pressures due to high energy bills.

The packs which contained non-perishable foods, will also support the homeless and refugee families living in local hotels where healthy snacks and fruits are limited.

East London Mosque has seen a stark rise in families needing help with food.

Many people have been hit hard by the pandemic, including, low-income families, those suffering from domestic abuse, the homeless, asylum seekers and refugees who were already struggling to feed themselves and many prioritising eating or heating as they struggle to pay their bills.

Sufia Alam, Head of Programmes & Maryam Centre at the East London Mosque, said: 

“As many vulnerable families struggle in the cold of winter, it’s important we reach out to all those in need in our communities. People have given Sadaqah (charity) generously to help those most in need and it’s heartening to see this provide so many winter food packs.”

Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK, said: 

“Today’s Joseph Rowntree Foundation report shows 1.8million children growing up in very deep poverty, even before the pandemic. This is deeply concerning and further highlights the crucial role played by food banks around the country. Poverty in the UK is speeding up at an alarming rate and an increasing number of families are now relying on support from charities.

East London Mosque has a long history of helping families in desperate need in London. We are proud to be working with them to deliver food parcels to some of the most vulnerable, including the homeless. In these winter months, this will be much needed relief.

The mosque is a vital and strong support for the community and places a huge emphasis on one of the most important pillars of Islam, charity and helping those in need.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

For any questions or to request to interview one of our spokespeople, please contact:

Jonaid Jilani: [email protected]; 07872 403534

Photographs can be found here: https://we.tl/t-j3j2515zES and https://bit.ly/3IfNVAf

About East London Mosque
The East London Mosque, which incorporates the London Muslim Centre and the Maryam Centre, has a rich history, with roots in the London Mosque Fund established in 1910. It has gone on to become one of the most active Islamic institutions in Britain.

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 40 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.