Since the coronavirus pandemic began, we have been trying to provide much-needed support to families around the world.
In South Africa, as with many places around the world, families are struggling financially. The lockdowns, job losses, and reduced income have had a particularly strong impact on the families who were already living paycheque to paycheque. Families who relied on informal labour to put food on the table were left with no way to provide for their families.
Working with Africa Federation, we were able to arrange for a food distribution to be held during Muharram for local members of Soweto Ahlul-Bait Jamaat. Each food pack contained items such as mealie meal, sugar, tea, milk powder, soya mince, tinned fish, baked beans, rice, flour, soup, brown beans, and face masks, which are essential at this time. We were able to provide these packs to 100 local families, giving them some support and easing their worries and struggles for a short while.
A team from the local communities started this initiative to ensure that while we mourn for Imam Husayn (as) and his brave companions, we equally cater to the needs of those who are less fortunate from amongst our local communities.
We also worked, with Africa Federation, to arrange for meals to be distributed In Muharram to people in Tanzania, living in the Kigoma, Mwanza, Bukoba, Moshi, Arusha, Songea, Newala, Dimba, Kwiriri, Msata, Mbogo, Tabata, Bagamoyo, Kilwa, and Udoe regions, as well as in Bilal Comprehensive. These meals were distributed during the Muharram majalis.
