Muslim Aid has partnered with Muslims in Rail to launch our ‘Fast Money’ campaign to raise money for victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
We’re calling on the UK to fast one day in Ramadan on 5 April on what we’ve declared to be ‘National Fast Day’ and give up your lunch money to feed fasting victims of the earthquake in Syria and provide emergency assistance to both Turkey and Syria.
Throughout the rest of the month, which will occur between 22 March to 21 April, we ask that the British public donates what they’d pay for their coffee, lunch, or meal deal to the ‘Fast Money’ campaign.
In February, two deadly earthquakes of 7.8 and 7.6 magnitudes struck Southern Turkey and Northern Syria, killing at least 50,000 people. Muslim Aid, the second-oldest British Muslim charity that aims to serve humanity regardless of who they are and what they believe in, was one of the first to respond to this humanitarian catastrophe and is still on the ground helping victims rebuild their lives.
Muslims in Rail (MIR) is a national network of professionals drawn from leading rail and transport organisations and is committed to connecting, growing and inspiring people working or seeking a career in the rail industry.
The idea stemmed from the two organisations’ faith-inspired interfaith work to contribute to wider society indiscriminately and to unite the British public during one day of Ramadan for the good of humanity.
Since the start of the emergency last month, Muslim Aid has served nearly 10,000 people, providing fuel, food, blankets, water and sanitisation items.
“This is a great initiative to build a strong national community spirit for a great cause”, says Diana Alghoul, Muslim Aid’s Communications and Public Relations manager.
“We are proud of who we are and believe our Islamic ethos calls for us to be of service through unity, charity, and in this case, a lot of fun. We encourage everyone to try the fasting challenge or at the very least, be part of the spirit of charity that Ramadan brings in all of us and donate.”
Nasir Khan MBE, Co-Founder and Director of Muslims in Rail, says: “We are not living in a perfect world; economic distress, rising inflation and worsening geopolitical situation has created several constraints, but we are still privileged to have food, shelter, and health.”
“Our partnership with Muslim Aid means that we will be able to give back to those that are most in need. Bringing food to the disaster-stricken people of Syria and Turkey will help bring meaning to life, and create opportunities to nurture and strengthen our personal values.”
