People flock to help victims of quake, tsunami

Mosque worshippers in Athlone respond to call for aid after disasters in Indonesia

GATESVILLE Mosque worshippers in Athlone dug deep into their pockets and hearts to collect R200 000 for disaster relief for victims of the earthquake and tsunami that claimed the lives of more than 1 700 people and caused widespread structural devastation in Indonesia.

The money was raised during Friday prayers at the mosque in response to the internationally-recognised Islamic Relief NGO’s call for assistance for the victims. The money will be channelled to the Indonesian victims through Islamic Relief, according to Gatesville Mosque spokesperson Laila Parker.

“Because a number of people were not aware of the collection, but would like to still contribute, the mosque will be arranging a second collection this Friday when internationally acclaimed Islamic scholar Mufti Menk will be the guest speaker,” she said.

Parker said a large crowd is expected at the mosque and it is hoped another good collection will be raised. Islamic Relief communications manager Shanaaz Ebrahim said Islamic Relief and local partner organisations are assisting rescue and aid efforts in Donggala and Palu as the death toll continues to rise. She said a local partner organisation’s volunteers were helping to clear rubble, pull out bodies and transport injured people to medical centres.

Large areas were inaccessible, with bodies trapped under the rubble and injured people in desperate need of healthcare. Thousands of homes have collapsed, along with hospitals, hotels and a shopping centre. Islamic Relief country director for Indonesia Nanang Dirja said: “It’s a devastating situation, with bodies everywhere, including on the beaches and in the water.

“Rescue work is a race against time as many people are still stuck under the rubble. In one area of Palu City, 500 houses have collapsed.

“The land and mudslides have cut off major roads, which has hindered access to people in desperate need. We’re hearing of so many urgent medical cases, such as traumatic head injuries and broken bones and many of them are out of reach.

“Islamic Relief has launched a global emergency appeal. We are determined to do as much as we can to help people to recover and eventually rebuild. The shock of this disaster will be felt for years to come,” said Dirja.

THE congregants of the Gatesville Mosque in Athlone once again headed the call of giving in the wake of disaster situations.

After the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia, a call went out to congregants to contribute generously towards the suffering of thousands after the disaster.

During Friday prayers, in the space of 20 minutes, the 3 000 congregants virtually emptied their wallets with a staggering total collected in excess of

The 3 000 congregants virtually emptied their wallets with a total R200 000 collected

R200 000.

The mosque has teamed up with the internationally recognised NGO Islamic Relief, which has team members on the ground carrying out relief operations.

The money will be channelled to the recipients via this organisation.

Because a number of people were not aware of the collection, but would like to still contribute, the mosque will be arranging a second collection this Friday when the internationally acclaimed Islamic scholar Mufti Menk will be the guest speaker.

Menk would have just returned from Indonesia and a large crowd is expected at the mosque.

“We hope to have another good collection, God willing, said Laila Parker, the spokesperson for the mosque.