Hawzah News Agency (UK, London) -Muslim and Christian groups in Britain are joining forces to help the country’s homeless and other vulnerable groups during the Christmas period.
Organizations including Muslim Aid, the Al Khair Foundations, Streetlytes, and churches across the English capital, London, are expanding their efforts by providing meals and shelter packs to rough sleepers.
Their aim is to make sure those most in need are protected from cold weather and hunger during the holidays when many shops and services are closed or operating at reduced capacity.
More than a hundred homeless people attended a Christmas dinner event organised by the groups at the Church of St Stephen and St Thomas in London’s Shepherd’s Bush.
"As Muslims, Islam teaches us that we can't go to bed on a full stomach while our neighbour goes hungry," said the Al Khair Foundation's Syed Husayn, as he managed a stall stacked with containers full of food.
"We’re working with people of all different backgrounds, to show that Muslims care and we want to solve the problems facing everyone, not just our own."
Streetlytes volunteer Chris Hatch, a Presbyterian priest, explained that while many of those working to help the homeless were religious, the project was not "inherently faith based".
We can have different belief systems but we can get a long together and there can be unity in the way we serve our community, especially the poor.
He adds that the project showed how different faith groups could join hands to help those most in need.
Providing warm meals is just one way in which the groups are helping.
The charity Muslim Aid was at the event handing out shelter packs to those that needed them.
The kit includes sleeping bags, multi-purpose utensils, and phone numbers on which rough sleepers can contact the charity in emergencies.
Jehangir Malik, the charity's CEO, said he was shocked at the scale of homelessness in the UK.
"I've become accustomed to giving out these kits in different parts of the world and it's a reality check that I have to do this in the United Kingdom," Malik said.
"Doing the same here in London in the sixth richest country in the world, it’s touching."
Abu Akeem, also from Muslim Aid, said that the group was handing out more than a thousand sleeping packs during the winter period and planning of feeding thousands more.
"We have nearly half a million people who don’t have proper homes in the UK and we want to work to address that vulnerability," Akeem said.
"One segment of the community is not going to resolve issues like poverty, homelessness, and hunger ... as British citizens we have to come together," he said.
"It’s very symbolic that we’re doing this in the run-up to Christmas, it's a demonstration of our shared values, of our humanity, and our collective concern for the needy."
