Appeal to help Afghans

Islamic community to support aid groups

AS THE world comes to grips with the frantic scenes of Afghan families fleeing ahead of the Taliban’s advance, the Toowoomba Muslim community wants to help.

Islamic Society president Professor Shahjahan Khan has launched an appeal and asked the community to contribute.

“Within the community we are talking with our brothers and sisters who are still in Afghanistan to offer our sympathy and support,” he said.

Part of the money raised through the appeal will go to international aid organisations like the Red Crescent to provide emergency food, shelter and medicine in Afghanistan.

The rest will be distributed to Afghan refugees in Toowoomba to send to their families back home.

“They are very shocked that it all fell apart so quickly,” Prof Khan said.

“They are worried because their families are not leaving their homes for fear of being attacked or having their homes looted.

“They can still communicate with their relatives in Afghanistan, so they are very stressed.”

Afghanistan has descended into chaos after the US, Australian and Coalition forces started their withdrawal from the county in March.

This led to the rapid advance of Taliban forces who claimed the capital, Kabul.

It signalled a despairing end to the 20 year occupation that was launched to oust the repressive government.

Prof Khan said there was a series of failings that had led to the humanitarian crisis.

“We were hoping something would happen at the Qatar peace talks for a peaceful transition of power, but it is very unfortunate that this did not happen,” he said.

“Then the president (Ashraf Ghani) left the country and that was another unexpected thing. I would have thought the government would work with the Taliban to rebuild Afghanistan.”

How you can help

Islamic Society of Toowoomba is collecting donations to help the people of Afghanistan. Transfer your contribution to the Commonwealth Bank Account of Islamic Society of Toowoomba (BSB: 064459 A/C: 1000 3579, ref: Afghan Support)

An event will be held at the Toowoomba Mosque at 3pm on Sunday to express solidarity and support the Afghans.