Taskforce GLM, the fundraising arm of Birmingham mosque and community centre the Green Lane Masjid, recently handed over a cheque to the charity Human Appeal UK for over a million pounds. The money mainly came from members of the city’s Muslim community and it was raised through street collections, regular collections in the mosque, charity dinners and a range of other events and initiatives.
In total, £1,234,000 was handed over to the non-profit. The money will go towards Human Appeal’s flour distribution fund, which is helping to feed 200,000 Syrians on a monthly basis. It will also provide aid during winter to Syrian refugees who have fled the violence in their home country and are now in Lebanon.
‘A staggering amount’
CEO of Human Appeal Othman Moqbel thanked those who contributed to the fundraising effort, describing the money generated as a “staggering amount”. He noted that the sum is equivalent to 4,113 tonnes of flour, which can be used to feed more than 800,000 people.
Mr Moqbel went on to emphasise the huge importance of distributing flour to bakeries in Syria. He pointed out that nearly 10 million people in the country are now classed as food insecure, while nearly seven million are severely food insecure. Compounding the shortage, the wheat harvest of 2015-16 was the lowest ever. It was estimated to be 55 per cent down on the average before conflict broke out in the country.
Human Appeal has been distributing flour to bakeries in Syria since 2011 and reached millions of its inhabitants with this crucial resource. It is providing flour to an average of 17 bakeries each month. As well as helping to ensure that people have access to much needed food, this is providing the staff who work in the bakeries with a regular income.
Another successful fundraiser
Taskforce GLM also generated a further £435,000 for Human Appeal in a fundraiser staged onLaylat al-Qadr during Ramadan. The money was given to support an orphanage the charity is running in Turkey that provides support to Syrian children who have lost their families. The impressive sum was the largest ever raised by the mosque in a single evening.
Engaged in ongoing fundraising initiatives, Taskforce GLM has also provided money to help the victims of the fire at Grenfell Tower in London, as well as those affected by the bombing in Manchester. Along with the congregants at the Green Lane Masjid, it has also spearheaded projects ranging from food banks to careers advice services.
