Al-Noor Raises Thousands for Tsunami Survivors - 2005

One evening a member of our staff watched the generosity of the Muslim community on Islam Channel, in response to the devastating South East Asian tsunami, which had occurred some four days previously.

She was inspired by the determination and energy of the programme hosts and speakers to propose the idea of a one day fundraising event in London. She put the idea to the headteacher of our school, Al-Noor Muslim Primary, and within days it had become a school project involving staff members, parents and trustees. The school very much wanted to be a part of the very noble deed of trying to help others in desperate need of the world's care, compassion and support.

Work began in earnest to secure speakers, sponsors and promotion at short notice. Everything fell into place over a few weeks of preparation whilst the project team members hurried back and forth to planning meetings at school and travelled across the country to obtain goods, stalls and services. The event was scheduled for the 30^th of January –a month after the Tsnaumi first struck, at the London Muslim Centre, the new extension of the East London Masjid in Whitechapel. With the help of our supporters, in particular JIMAS, we brought together a programme for the fundraising event that was informative and exciting. We were delighted when Shabbir Ally agreed to be our chief guest.

Abu Muntasir, the president of JIMAS, invited us all to consider living less materialistic lives. Abu Hanifah, frequent host of Islam Channel’s IslamiQA programme informed us about the rewards Allah has promised for giving charity. Our very own Abu Hasnain (Murtaza Khan), Islamic Curriculum Co-ordinator and teacher at Al-Noor, educated us about the central role of giving charity in the life of a Muslim. Ajmal Masroor from the MCB hosted the event. Islamic Relief addressed the audience on events on the ground, providing a briefing on the charity’s role in the affected region as well as a pre-recorded video message from Dr. Hanny El-Banna, the charity’s founder. Team members also worked to secure testimonials by representatives from affected communities whilst others worked on a poignant movie presentation summing up the tragedy for an exclusive first-time showing on the day. An added bonus was the appearance of Frederic Kanoute (Tottenham football club player, ex-West Ham United player and a Muslim of under two years)!