Bristol’s Muslim community are stepping up their efforts to support survivors in what has been the largest and deadliest earthquake to hit Turkey and Syria in decades. Mosques in Bristol are collecting financial donations and warm clothing as people remain outside in freezing temperatures.
More than 11,000 people have been killed and millions more left homeless after the earthquake struck in the early hours of Monday (February 6) in south-west Turkey near the border with Syria. Hopes of finding survivors trapped in the rubble are fading and more than 30,000 people have been injured, with many others losing their homes and livelihoods.
The scale of destruction from the 7.8 magnitude quake that struck on Monday and its powerful aftershocks was so immense and so widespread – including in areas isolated by Syria’s ongoing civil war – that many people are still waiting for help.
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Sameer Ashraf is an Imam based at a mosque in Fishponds which is affiliated to Dawate E Islami - the UK charity connected to an international Islamic charity (FGRF) involved in the relief effort in Turkey. The organisation is working with mosques across Bristol in fundraising efforts and working with the Turkish community in Bristol to collect clothes, blankets, nappies and women’s sanitary products to send to the tens of thousands of people suffering the after effects of the devastating earthquake.
Faizan E Madinah mosque in Fishponds Road will be open for donations until 7.30pm this evening (Wednesday) and are in urgent need of baby milk, nappies, baby wipes, baby food and women’s sanitary products. Alternatively, donations can also be taken to the Turkish Islamic Centre on Gloucester Road.
Dawate E Islami, which has a centre out in Turkey, currently has relief workers on the ground with more making their way to the impacted region which includes war torn Syria and refugee camps on either side of the border. Aid workers have predicted that the earthquake will spark a new refugee crisis with the current camps expected to double in size .
Mr Ashraf, working from the Dawate E Islami South West HQ in Fishponds, said he is in regular contact with the charity workers currently in Turkey. Speaking to Bristol Live he said: “At the moment the situation is really bad and flights are currently delayed from Istanbul Airport but we are in contact with those who are already working there on the ground in Turkey.
“People are really scared about aftershocks. Everyone is on the street and they are not going back into their homes.
“After the first earthquake hit people thought it was okay to go back to their homes but when the second one struck they became more scared. We can only pray for them here.”
Five additional mosques in Bristol will be collecting donations during the Friday prayers services this week, but will be open between 4.30pm and 6pm for any member of the public wishing to make a financial contribution. The following mosques are involved in the local fundraising effort: Madani Jamia Masjid in Fishponds, Easton Jamia Masjid on St Marks Road, Hazarat Bilal Centre in St Werburghs, alongside local umbrella organisations such as the Council of Mosques.
All the funds raised across the mosques in Bristol will be donated to FGRF who have a centre in Turkey. Alternatively you can donate via their donation hotline by calling 07900175555.
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