Islamic Relief UK and partners provide food packs to the UK’s most vulnerable as Ramadan draws to a close

Around the final weekend of Ramadan, 1500 food packs were distributed to vulnerable families across the country by Islamic Relief UK and LFC in Liverpool, Masjid al-Falaah in Birmingham, and Newham Community Project in London.

The first of these distributions took place on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 May as Islamic Relief UK worked closely with Masjid Al- Falaah mosque in Birmingham and provided 500 food essentials and sanitary products to homeless shelters, the central foodbank, Bethany Foodbank, households in need, and two women’s refuges.

On Saturday 8 May, the charity partnered with Newham Community Project food bank and provided 500 food packs to international students and their families who have been struggling financially during Covid-19.

The final distribution took place on Monday 10 May as Islamic Relief UK joined up with LFC Foundation and the Liverpool Mosque Regions Network (LRM) to distribute 500 essential food packs to vulnerable people including the homeless, asylum seekers, refugees and women who have suffered domestic abuse. 

Items such such as halal chicken, tinned tomatoes, chickpeas, lentils, tea bags, biscuits and sanitary products were included in the packs.

Many people across the UK have been struggling financially due to the pandemic, after losing their jobs and families have been driven deeper into poverty. 

The food packs will help people during a difficult time and also provide some of the Muslim families a more comfortable Eid-Al-Fitr (festival marking end of Ramadan, 13 May).

Matt Parish, Chief Executive at LFC Foundation, said: 

“We are proud to be working alongside Islamic Relief UK to help support local families, during what remains a difficult time for so many as a result of the pandemic. The generous donation of over £13,000 has enabled us to collaboratively distribute 500 essential food boxes, which will support local people from both Muslim and non-Muslim communities ahead of Eid-Al-Fitr celebrations.

“Helping to tackle food poverty is something that the Club is really passionate about and committed to. Since the start of the pandemic the club has provided more than 63,000 free meals to local schools, community groups, key workers and families. In addition to this, over £320,000 has been raised and directly donated to North Liverpool Foodbank and the Trussell Trust’s foodbank network across the Liverpool City Region to support those living in food crisis.”

Elyas Ismail, organiser, Newham Community Project said:

“We have been helping international students from our food bank for the past year since the first lockdown, and a lot of them have lost their work, they rely on part-time work to pay for fees for university, rent and other costs and are not entitled to any Government help or financial support, so we had to step in. We now support 2,500 people a week.

“We have had fantastic support from Islamic relief UK today to help distribute food. Without the support from them and other charities, it would be very difficult to carry on.”

Adil Parker General Secretary of Masjid Al Falaah said:

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, and over the last twelve months, the need for food went up – especially for vulnerable people who had lost their jobs or were shielding. Even NHS workers could not get their hands on food in Birmingham.

“We have been doing some fantastic projects with Islamic Relief UK for the last three years in three different continents, but we realised that we needed to do something locally in Birmingham and in the UK.”

“Islamic Relief UK have come up with this fantastic grant for us to deliver nearly 500 food parcels to the local people such as those affected by domestic abuse, refugees, rough sleepers, the homeless and NHS workers.”

Zia Salik, interim Director of Islamic UK said:

“What we have seen over the last few days is the huge dedication and hard work of our UK partners, and committed volunteers across the country to help those most in need. 

“Liverpool FC, Masjad Al-Falaah, Newham Community Project, mosques and community centres are doing outstanding work and we are proud to have partnered with them. 

“Unfortunately, what we have also witnessed are the levels of poverty across the UK and how Covid-19 has pushed people deeper into poverty. There is a now a huge need to assist people in this country and we will continue to work with others to alleviate the suffering of many in the UK.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor

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

• Armani Ur-Rub: Armani.ur-rub@islamic-relief.org.uk; 07710 389316
• Jonaid Jilani: Jonaid.jilani@islamic-relief.org.uk; 07872 403534

What is Ramadan and Eid?  

For Muslims across the globe, the holy month of Ramadan is a sacred time for worshipping Allah, (God). This period offers an opportunity for devotion, reflection and celebration of the mercy and love of Allah.

During this period, healthy adult Muslims will show this devotion through fasting from dawn until dusk. Other acts of worship such as prayer, reading the Qur’an and charity are also encouraged during the holy month.

Eid al-Fitr or Eid is the festival marking the end of Ramadan. 

You can find out more about Ramadan on the Islamic Relief UK website.

About LFC Foundation

The LFC Foundation is the official charity of Liverpool Football Club; delivering a range of programmes and partnerships to create life-changing opportunities for children and young people in the Liverpool City Region and beyond.

The charity focuses its work in three key impact areas; wellbeing, skills and communities and delivers a variety of regular physical activity initiatives in Merseyside, including ‘Go Play’ free multi-sport sessions delivered in 15 local parks. It also works with the Premier League to implement programmes including Premier League’s Kicks programmes and Primary Stars.

About Newham Community Project 

Newham Community Project (NCP) has been established since 2008. It is a grassroots charity organisation (registered charity: 1128596) run by concerned volunteers of Newham being involved in many projects through the years.

Since its inception, it has been involved in many charitable and social enterprise projects. Including the 7th Newham scouts, Baseera Charity and more recently has become involved in helping the Newham Needy.

About Masjid Al Falaah

KMAB (Kokni Muslim Association Birmingham) serves its members from Birmingham and the surrounding area with Masjid Al Falaah, aiming to provide a better understanding of the religion of Islam, and educate people belonging to all ages and genders.

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.