A dinner will be held at the London Muslim Mosque this weekend to fundraise for victims of the Kahramanmaras earthquake
On February 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake ripped through parts of southern Turkey and northern Syria. Three days after the quake, Turkish officials said the death toll between both countries has exceeded 20,000, and that number continues to climb.
In response to the catastrophe, the London Muslim Mosque will hold a Saturday evening dinner to collect donations for Turkey and Syria.
The dinner will be held from 6 – 8 p.m. in the Mosque’s gym. Tickets are being sold for $25.
“All proceeds to support our sisters and brothers affected by the earthquake in Turkiye and Syria,” the invitation says.
As Imam Mohamed Al-Jammali from the London Muslim Mosque explains, offering help to those in need is a pillar of the Islamic faith.
“There is a social responsibility that we have to fulfill. When something like this happens, we put ourselves in the shoes of those people and we say ‘what if that happened to us?’” Al-Jammali said. “We feel there is that obligation on us to extend hands if we are able. How can we enjoy our life if other innocent people are suffering?”
Al-Jammali says the London Muslim Mosque has already sent money overseas, but after seeing such graphic images and hearing stories from victims, members decided they had to do more. The Imam believes an in-person event like Saturday’s could help bring people together to find a sense of healing.
“It is a way to raise funds for people [affected by the earthquake], but at the same time, it gives support for those who are here,” he said. “Many are Syrian. Many came from Turkey. So, actually meeting together and showing that kind of solidarity and unity is a representation of the ‘one family’ example.”
Muslims often refer to the rest of humanity as “brothers and sisters,” as the Islam faith teaches that all people are descendants of Adam and Eve. As family, Al-Jammali says Muslims are quick to offer a helping hand to anyone who needs it, regardless of whether they share the same faith.
“It’s important that we as humans remove all barriers in regards to our differences, and our political agenda, and any other things. We should really come together,” Al-Jammali added.
Those who cannot attend Saturday’s event can still do their part to support the cause. Al-Jammali says sharing information about the fundraiser, buying tickets for friends and family, or donating funds before and after the event are helpful ways to participate.
Whatever donations are collected will go toward charitable groups such as Islamic Relief, according to Al-Jammali. The fundraiser dinner will also feature presentations from some of the organizations that are on the ground in Turkey and Syria.
Tickets for the fundraiser dinner can be purchased here.
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