Islamic Relief UK, Masjid Al Falaah and Green Lane Masjid team up to help some of the most vulnerable in Birmingham

Islamic Relief UK, Masjid Al Falaah and Green Lane Masjid team up to help some of the most vulnerable in Birmingham as mosques see stark increase in calls for help.

As families in Birmingham continue to struggle financially due to the pandemic, Islamic Relief UK supported Masjid Al Falaah and Green Lane Masjid to help over 1000 people with winter food packs, on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 January.

Masjid Al Falaah which provides help and support to homeless food shelters, refugees, domestic abuse survivors and schools, has seen a stark increase in the numbers of households that they are providing food for – with a 30% increase over the last six weeks.Green Lane Masjid and Community centre (GLMCC) has been providing a food bank service for more than six years to some of the most vulnerable people in the area. It has also been providing a seven-day walk-in food bank and in early 2021, delivered vital emergency food parcels to people self-isolating. However, the service has seen a rise in users during the pandemic with a 60 per cent increase over the last 15 months.

Many people have been hit hard by the pandemic, including homeless people who were already struggling to feed themselves and families prioritising eating or heating as they struggle to pay their bills.

To help some of the most vulnerable, food packs were distributed by Islamic Relief UK and Masjid Al Falaah on Friday 20 January for a week to a homeless shelter, domestic abuse refuge, Afghan refugees and schools.Islamic Relief UK and Green Lane Masjid also distributed 500 food packs containing sweet and savoury items and a selection of ambient foods, on Saturday, January 22 via GLMCC’s food bank.

Muhammad Ali, Head of Services and Welfare at Green Lane Masjid, said:

“The increase in food bank users is very concerning. People may assume users are only the homeless or single people, but our service has seen families and young children queuing to receive their weekly food. It is disheartening to see poverty on your doorstep but we are at an advantage to be able to support. We will distribute food parcels but also continue our efforts throughout the GLMCC Welfare department to support the vulnerable in need.”

Adil Parkar, General Secretary of Masjid Al Falaah said:

“It is hard to believe that in 21st Century Britain, food deprivation is an issue that affects many families locally and nationally. Food banks in our city are increasingly been called on by our local authorities to support families (especially young children) with food parcels. We, along with two other organisations now run a daily hot food distribution service along with distributing food parcels over the last few weeks. The energy price rise is now forcing people to choose between eating and heating and our efforts with the food parcels will hopefully answer that conundrum for some of the families.”

Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK said:

“We are proud to be working with Masjid Al-Falaah and Green Lane Masjid. These mosques are lifelines for the community in Birmingham as they help some of the most vulnerable. They show the true spirit of Islam which is charity, one of the most important pillars of faith.

Both mosques are doing incredible work in Birmingham and will bring much-needed relief and support to the homeless, domestic abuse survivors, refugees and families struggling financially who would have already been going through so many difficulties.

It’s heartbreaking to know that families in the UK are struggling to keep themselves warm or to eat this winter. This should not be happening in one of the richest countries in the world.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

For any questions or to request to interview one of our spokespeople, please contact: · Jonaid Jilani: [email protected]; 07872 403534;

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.

www.kmab.org.uk

About Green Lane Masjid & Community Centre

For any press queries. please contact [email protected]

Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre is a leading UK mosque situated in the heart of Birmingham serving the community since 1979. Operating from its award-winning grade II listed Victorian building, GLMCC fulfills its mission of inspiring, educating and serving through its educational college, outreach work, welfare services, international humanitarian wing, as well as its fully functional mosque which is attended by thousands every week.

Recognised internationally, GLMCC is a multi-award-winning mosque, having won the 2019 British Muslim Award for Mosque of the Year and the Beacon Awards for ‘Best Run Mosque 2019 and ‘Best Covid Response 2020’.

For more information about or work and services visit: www.greenlanemasjid.org

Or access our annual report at: https://www.greenlanemasjid.org/about/annual-reports/

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.