Muslim communities unite to support bushfire affected communities
AROUND 35 volunteers including two highly respected Sheikh’s from different Shia Muslim organisations across Melbourne arrived in Beechworth last Thursday as united group to support bushfire relief efforts.
Organised by local Indian Restaurant owners Shabbir Hussain and his wife Asra Fatima, Mr Hussain said he was surprised with the number of supporters who turned up at short notice.
Mr Hussain had contacted three organisations with a request for them to help as a community under one banner representing all Shia Muslims of Australia.
“We cooked 100 gluten free vegetarian meals for the emergency relief centres in Wangaratta with distribution organised by Geoff Pearson from the Rotary Club of Milawa Oxley,” he said.
Riaz Abbas Zaki from one of the organisations - the ALASR Society of Australia - who also contacted other groups, said it was a day where everyone could come together to help Australia irrespective of faith and be united as one.
Indigo Shire mayor Jenny O’Connor welcomed the volunteers to the town and thanked them for their generosity to support and work for the community to help bushfire affected communities.
“They have driven from Melbourne to see what they can do to assist and have offered to help council, our community and businesses,” she said.
“This shows that as a nation we stand very strong when we are all together and united, and it is a great honour that they came to Beechworth.”
Beechworth’s Anglican Christ Church priest Thomas Leslie, who also welcomed them to Beechworth as community member, said it was a significant visit as it was the first time that different Shia muslim organisations had united for a common human cause.
“It was building relationships between their organisations as well as across cultural groups,” he said.