With the help of Inspire FM, a Luton community group, 13 mosques across the town took part in a dedicated Friday money collection to purchase edible goods.

Salma Khan, director of operations at Luton Foodbank, said she was “delighted” by “truly amazing and heart-warming” donations.

She said the Muslim community support the charity throughout the year but this year more groups came together.

“This is the first time so many mosques have united to support us”, Ms. Khan added. “It’s so nice to see every part of the community taking part, it’s amazing, truly heart-warming.”

She said the money had already made “a huge difference” and meant there were enough donations for over the festive period and into early January, when donations can dip.

She added: “Christmas is a time of year that people who don’t have much are forced to spend money on gifts, food and heating, so it pushes a lot of people into crisis.”

Mohammed Tariq, from Inspire FM, said: “We are deeply appreciative of the mosques coming together to support the local Foodbank during this critical time. This act of unity and generosity truly reflects their core values.”

Maqsood Anwar, from the Madinah Masjid mosque, said it has supported the “much-needed” foodbank for over a decade and “we are more than happy to help”.

Allama Qazi Abdul Aziz Chisti MBE said: “Feeding the hungry is one of our duties as Muslims.”

Elizabeth Stringer, the chairman of the foodbank, said: “With higher numbers of people using the foodbank, all contributions will help with food distribution throughout the colder months.”

Source: BBC

The community fridge – which is essentially a food bank – has opened at JTI Southfield Square Masjid in the Manningham area of the city.

It includes a range of items such as milk, bread, butter, cereals, biscuits, fruit, vegetables and tinned produce.

The community fridge is open at the mosque between 11am and 1pm every Sunday.

Volunteers helped transform space in the basement of the mosque into the community fridge.

Syed Ahsan Shah, a director at the mosque, said: “At JTI, we strive to serve the community at large as the message of our founder and pioneer, Pir Syed Maroof, who recently passed away in the summer, was to unify all communities.

“Having a food bank in the center of Manningham will be a life-saver during turbulent times.”

Mohammed Wasim, who is overseeing the project, added: “The JTI community fridge is open to all, regardless of background.

“We hope the community fridge will serve as a lifeline for many and we aim to ensure nobody in the area sleeps hungry.”

For more information about the community fridge, including how to donate items, email jtifridge@aol.com or visit the JTI Community Fridge Facebook page.

Source: Telegraph & Argus