Hawzah News Agency - (London  - UK) - The London Muslim Mosque turned on the grills and invited Londoners to join the barbecue on Sunday.

Proceeds collected will go towards helping out those affected by the Old East Village explosion that shook Woodman Avenue and surrounding areas on the night of August 14.

Ali Chahbar, the outreach coordinator with the mosque, tells 980 CFPL it is London’s responsibility to provide all types of support to the victims during this difficult time.

“[The families] are fellow Londoners, they’re fellow citizens… it’s incumbent on us to reach out to them and see how we can alleviate any troubles,” says Chahbar.

“This is financial support, but they need emotional support, they need support on every level.”

Councillors Jesse Helmer of Ward 4 and Phil Squire of Ward 6 attended the BBQ, and told 980 CFPL the mosque’s generosity comes without surprise.

“The community here at the London Muslim Mosque is outstanding, I’m not surprised to see them come together to try and support their neighbors in Old East Village,” says Helmer. “It’s really heartening to see the community coming together here at the mosque to try and support the folks who have been affected.”

“Today’s really just an example of the many things the [mosque does] to make the community better,” says Squire. “I’m not surprised, but I couldn’t be happier.”