A group of young Muslims are backing a Church in Wales appeal for humanitarian aid in Gaza.
They have raised more than £1,000 for a mobile dental clinic delivering frontline medical aid around the bombed out streets of Gaza. The clinic, which has been funded totally by the Church in Wales since 2000, is part of the work of family health centres in Gaza run by the Near East Council of Churches.
Members of the Young Muslim Community Organisation in Newport, South Wales, held a bazaar to raise money following an appeal by the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, for urgent aid for the work of the NECC clinics. The appeal was intensified after a direct missile attack destroyed one of the family centres in Shij’ia last month.
Ifthir Ahmed, chair of the YMCO, said the group was pleased to support a Welsh appeal for humanitarian aid.
He said, “We read about the destruction of the family clinic and the invaluable service the mobile dental clinic provides for so many people in the strip. We felt that some of the money we raised had to go to this very noble cause.
“The response and support we’ve had from the people of Newport has been strong. They felt the call for funds was going out to everyone in Wales, not just the parishioners of the Church in Wales, and as Welsh citizens we felt a duty to support a Welsh appeal.
“It's important that the people in Wales work together when we are trying to help the victims of man-made or natural disasters so that the recipients of the aid realise it’s from the people of one nation to another.”
More than 300 people attended the bazaar on January 18 at Pill Millennium Centre. Activities included an auction, stalls, hot food and children’s games. Members of the YMCO presented the cheque to the Assistant Bishop of Llandaff, Dr David Yeoman on Tuesday, February 10.
Dr Yeoman said, “We are very moved that the YMCO has chosen to channel the money it has raised, through our appeal. It shows how people of different faiths are brought together through a humanitarian cause. This will deepen the good relationship the Church already has with the Muslim community in Wales.”
Almost £15,000 has been raised in the past month for the Church in Wales appeal. A large number of donations have come from parishes across Wales who have held collections, coffee mornings and concerts to raise money.
The Archbishop of Wales Dr Morgan said, “We are very grateful to everyone, from many faiths and backgrounds, in Wales who are pulling together to do what they can to respond to our appeal for immediate medical supplies for the people in Gaza who are in desperate need at this time. We hope people will continue to donate to the appeal and keep the region in their prayers.”
You can contribute to the work of the NECC through its dental clinic and health centres by sending money or a cheque, made payable to the Church in Wales Jubilee Fund, to The Church in Wales, 39, Cathedral Rd, Cardiff, CF11 9XF. Gift Aid envelopes are available from Louise Davies, Assistant Head of Finance, tel 02920 348228
Article from: The Church in Wales