Tomorrow at 6pm, the Federation of Muslim Organisations (FMO) will host an event at the Highfields Community Centre to discuss how local people can help Syrians affected by war. Together with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Charities Commission and the Department for International Development (DFID), the FMO strives to raise awareness about the devastation taking place in Syria, and the positive impact charitable giving can have. The event will feature speeches and presentations from these organisations; commending what has already been done whilst looking at steps the local community and government can take to move forward.
The Syrian Crisis has been going on for almost three years, and this meeting comes at a point when stories still permeate the news about the ongoing desolation and desperation of Syrian refugees, of which there are over 2.5 million. Worldwide agencies and charities are making substantial attempts to send food parcels and aid to these vulnerable people, but despite their best efforts, they are unable to help everyone affected.
The meeting tomorrow will aim to show local people how they can best assist this work, as well as giving them the chance to voice any anxieties they might have. Speaking to Pukaar News, Suleman Nagdi, PR officer for the FMO and Chair of tomorrow’s meeting, said: “It is not designed for any particular faith group, anyone is welcome.” He is expecting over one hundred people to attend.
One of the main issues to be raised tomorrow is the problem of aid not reaching its intended destination. Mr Nagdi stressed the importance of this, saying: “Tomorrow we will be encouraging people to donate through registered charities. In that way people will know exactly where their money is going and how it is being spent.”
Mr Nagdi praised the generosity of British people thus far, calling them “one of the most generous communities in the world”, but admitted that everyone could do more to continue assisting this humanitarian cause. He firmly believed they will rise to the challenge.
When questioned about whether some are reluctant to give to foreign aid when they see poverty and hardships at home, Mr Nagdi argued that: “While there are issues here, the situation is totally different because the Syrian people are in dire need of immediate response – men, women and children have just become refugees overnight.”
It is undoubtedly a global concern, and Mr Nagdi sincerely hoped that through outreach like tomorrow’s event, local people will be inspired to start, or continue, giving to Syria. By highlighting the importance of donating through registered charities, individuals and organisations can ensure that their money is being well spent on the people who need it most.
Meeting will take place at Highfields Community Centre – 6pm, Thursday 6th March
