Showing solidarity and prioritising humanity both now and in any difficult period
When the coronavirus pandemic started in March, the Muslim community in Oldham, alongside many other faith and non-faith communities, responded in a number of ways to support residents from all communities and backgrounds. Thousands of people have been provided with food packages, bereavement support, and ongoing support on their doorsteps.
Oldham Mosques Council have shared a report with us to round up all the great voluntary action they're invoved with. Action Together would like to take this opportunity to thank the Oldham Mosques Council and all the groups and charities they've worked with to support people across Oldham Borough.
Abdul Basit Shah, the Acting Chair of the Oldham Mosques Council (OMC), said, "The OMC is an umbrella organisation for Mosques and Madrassahs in Oldham. The OMC has always been at the forefront in responding to challenges faced in and by the community. COVID-19 has put all the years of practice into good use.
OMC has been very active in helping members of the community (both Muslim and non-Muslim) to stay safe and well. Many volunteers from Mosques and Madrassahs have joined with the Statutory and Voluntary sectors in the relief effort. This includes donating and distributing food and emergency items and keeping in contact with vulnerable members of communities of all backgrounds. However, this wasn’t enough, and we wanted to do something more to show our appreciation of and support for colleagues working on the frontline.
Since the Pandemic started the OMC decided to reach out to communities of Oldham to give people the advice and support they needed to stay safe, alongside helping those who are in desperate need of help. OMC requested all Mosques to close during the lockdown period and asked members of the Muslim community to perform their prayers at home. We are proud to say that the Muslim community have complied with the the Government guidelines very well. We also put a call out to members and friends of the OMC to ask if they would be kind enough to donate towards a hot meal for the 350 staff at The Royal Oldham Hospital every Tuesday.
This has become a huge success and now known as the ‘curry night’ starting on the 21st April 2020, and will continue to do so until at least the end of June 2020. We have already had donations that will provide hot meals for 350 staff over 11 weeks, making an astonishing 3,850 meals.
In this pandemic, communities from all backgrounds have come together and championed humanitarian work so that together we can beat this virus and get our lives back on track. We will stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with all communities, to protect the lives of all communities across Oldham and this is the Oldham we all want to see and love!"
Find out more about how Muslim groups across Oldham have responded to COVID-19 here.