Little acts of kindness can make a huge difference to the recipients. Here in the new city, Luqman is one of those investing his time to help others. He has written a little piece to show how he has been helping during lockdown:
My name is Luqman and I am 17 years old Ahamadi Muslim living in Milton Keynes.
During lockdown, I have been helping with humanitarian activities as serving mankind is an integral part of my faith.
My aunt has volunteered as the area coordinator for our village and the neighbouring village.
This role entails receiving messages from and communicating with anyone who needs help and then arranging that help.
The first task was to hand out leaflets to every house, with my mum’s and aunt’s contact details if assistance was needed. Me and my sister both helped out with this.
Many people responded saying how grateful they were for this support.
One of the responses was by an elderly lady (91-years-old) in the neighbouring village, who lived alone and needed help with shopping.
She sent the shopping list to my aunt and together, we went and did the shopping for her.
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It was only a small list and the trip was quite quick, but it felt great to be able to help someone who was stuck indoors.
We dropped off her shopping at her front door and when she came out to pick it up, she smiled and said thank you - it was very humbling to see the gratitude on her face!
I now go with my aunt once a week to do her shopping. There is another family who live a couple of roads away from us who are unable to leave the house and needed help with shopping, picking up the medical prescription. I have been with my aunt to do their shopping once. I feel very privileged to have had these opportunities to serve others. It is very comforting to know that I am helping to make other peoples’ lives easier.
I have recently been to drop off cooking supplies to a woman who collects donations and then makes hot meals, giving them out to those who don’t have access to food in these difficult times. It was great to know that the food donations were made towards a good cause and I am proud of being a part of this.
“Islam urges every person to partake in charitable giving, and that even an act of kindness towards another is charity. It also promotes community cohesion and we as Muslims are trying to spread the message of peace to create stronger bonds in society and remove any negative perceptions about Islam.’’
