Pakistan Earthquake Appeal

As the harsh winter set in, time was running out for the survivors of the massive catastrophic earthquake that it Pakistan in Ramadhan 2005.

BMCS planned a series of fundraising events over the course of six weeks for the Earthquake Appeal including cricket and soccer tournaments and a sponsored lock up.

On Sunday 27th November the BMCS campaign kicked off with a very special charity auction in the conference hall at Bristol City Council, supported by Bristol Ta’leem ul Islam Trust (BTIT) and Bristol City Council.

Since the disaster, the local Muslim community had raised in excess of £120,000 with the support of all the local mosques, local businessmen, community groups, the platform of Radio Ramadhan Bristol and individuals, all either pooling their resources or sending them directly to loved ones affected by the quake in Pakistan.

So, especially in view of the fact the Muslim community in Bristol had already donated so generously and repeatedly since the disaster, we were initially concerned that donor fatigue may have set in.

But we need not have worried. The evening was a phenomenal success. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of the community and their enthusiasm to support so generously the BMCS Charity Auction. The large conference hall was filled to capacity with people having to sit on the sides.

Councillor Barbara Janke, the then Leader of Bristol City Council, opened the evening followed by the presentation of 3 different perspectives of how the community had reacted to the disaster. Firstly, from Arif Khan a local businessman who was actually in Pakistan during the Earthquake. He talked of how he was moved to go to the heart of the disaster zone and help local aid workers. Then there was the presentation from Heather Allen of SARAID, a Bristol-based search and rescue team, which had responded immediately. The audience heard a heartfelt account of her personal experience of saving the lives of people buried in the rubble. Finally, we had a presentation from Jehangir Malik of Islamic Relief who had just returned from Kashmir, and talked about the ongoing international efforts to save the lives of the survivors.

Then, Mrs Kalsoom Bashir (Chair for the evening) introduced Andrew Morgan (of Morgan and Beddoe Auctioneers) who then masterminded a hugely successful auction.

Auction items were as diverse as the audience that took part, and that made the auction an astonishing success. Items included home cooked Pakistani meals delivered to your door, to the loftier dinner at the Houses of Parliament including a personal tour, plus hot air balloon rides, original works of art and weeklong stays at a Scottish Country estate.

A few hours later. The monies raised were a staggering £10,400. Refreshingly, there was no need for people to be coerced into parting with their money, there was no ‘give me your money’ attitude, people gave willingly and freely, and clearly they gave very generously. From the feedback we have had, people genuinely enjoyed the event.

The evening ended with a special live performance by Farzeen Nazir, who sang tracks form his latest CD, followed by a delicious buffet dinner.

BMCS would like to thank all those (not mentioned above) who helped make it such a huge success including: Liz Ferguson, Lick’n Chicken, Lahoree Kebab House, Pak Butchers, Tasty Bites, Star Cash & Carry and all those who worked tirlessly in the background.

In addition to the charity auction, BMCS also organised other events including a soccer tournament, a 24 hour lock up as well as appeals to schools and other faith congregations in Bristol. From all these, the BMCS Earthquake Appeal has raised over £25,000.

We hope our efforts will help ease the suffering of the survivors of the earthquake in Pakistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

A special thank you to www.dalmo.org.uk for hosting details of our fundraising activities (unfortunately our website had become the victim of cyber hackers). All proceeds were donated to the DEC and Islamic Relief.

Asian Tsunami Appeal

Bristol Muslim’s “Silent March” from Easton to City Centre

For the first time ever, Bristol Muslims marched from Easton to the City Centre.
On 28th July 2006, up to 500 people took part in a SILENT MARCH through the streets of Bristol starting from Easton to College Green in the City Centre, to protest against the overwhelming use of force by Israel against civilian areas in Lebanon.  On what was a very hot day, around 200 people marched from the beginning to the end, including men, women and children.  They were joined by many other people along the way from all backgrounds and from all faiths and none.

The march was organised by young people from the Muslim community. However, by default, BMCS did take a coordinating and moderating role, to ensure the march was not hijacked for personal agendas, or by radical views.  The success of the march however, was down to the passion and commitment of those who organised and participated in it.
The march far exceeded expectations.   Dawn Primorolo MP, Kerry McCarthy MP & Doug Naysmith MP passed on messages assuring the marchers that they were doing all they could to find a way to end the hostilities in the Middle East. The 200 or so people who stayed all the way to College Green were addressed by a number of people including community leaders and Barbra Janke, the Leader of Bristol City Council, all congratulating them on a very well organised, well attended, and above all, peaceful, good natured protest through the streets of Bristol.

Following on from the SILENT MARCH, BMCS facilitated a meeting between local Government MPs and young Bristol Muslims.  For all of the young people, this was the FIRST time they had actively and directly engaged with their elected representatives.  The young people were representative of the diverse communities that make up the Bristol Muslim population.
A passionate discussion took place.  As a result of the over hour-long meeting a Statement was agreed and released by the Government MPs calling for an IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE in hostilities in the Middle East. Press Release
Speaking after the meeting, Dawn said:
“I am very grateful to the Bristol Muslim Cultural Society for facilitating this important dialogue, during which the young people passionately expressed their deep concern at the bloodshed and their frustration at the response of the international community. I share, as do Doug and Kerry, their desire to see an urgent end to the fighting”.
“We all accept that countries have the right to defend their lawful territories and to protect their peoples from attack. However, these responses need to be measured, conform to international law, and avoid civilian death and suffering. We share the serious concerns expressed about the number of deaths, casualties and displaced persons that have been caused as a result of this conflict”.

Women walk from Bristol to Bath to raise funds for charity

Fourteen mostly Muslim women from various backgrounds and faiths, walked together from Bristol to Bath to raise money for the victims of the conflict in Lebanon.

These remarkable ladies raised an incredible £1000 for the UK-based charity Interpal.

The gruelling walk took the group most of the day. Many of the ladies were not used to walking such long distances but every single one of them completed the 15mile journey along with the BMCS bicycle 'outriders' who accompanied them.

As earlier participants in the “Silent March” from Easton to College Green, these women were inspired and decided to walk again, this time to raise money to help the humanitarian aid effort. Well Done sisters! You are an example for others to follow.