5000 families in the UK to receive aid through Ismaili Muslim community’s “Share a Smile” Campaign

3 July 2014, London–Over 5,000 homeless families in the United Kingdom will receive a parcel of essential items through a new campaign known as “Share a Smile” developed by the UK Ismaili Muslim Community.

The parcels, which include baked beans, sweetcorn and soup as well as essential non-food items such as toothbrushes, toothpastes and socks, will be distributed through 10 charities including The Passage, St Mungo’s Broadway, St Basil’s in Birmingham and Action Homeless,to some of the most vulnerable populations in London, Birmingham and Leicester- those without a permanent roof over their heads, or fleeing domestic violence.

The campaign is being held during the Muslim month of Ramadan, and in the spirit of the holy month, Ismaili Muslims will volunteer their time to prepare parcels of essential items for this needy cause. In the Muslim tradition, Ramadan is a time of heightened commitment to piety and purification through special observances such as fasting, the performance of good deeds — including charitable giving and voluntary service — and through personal sacrifices of material comforts.

Seven Ismaili community centres across the country including five in London will participate in the united day of service on Saturday, 5th July with hundreds of volunteers from across the country expected to give of their time. Shehnaaz, one of the many volunteers said “voluntary service is a long standing tradition in the Ismaili Muslim community and a value which we have grown up with. I feel very privileged and excited to take part in the Share a Smile campaign.”

Zulfikar Hassam, a volunteer member of the Share a Smile team, explained the importance of the initiative:“In keeping with the ethics of Islam, of generosity and giving back to the community, the Share a Smile campaign aims to reach out to those most in need in the areas in which the community lives. His Highness the Aga Khan has often commented on the importance of volunteerism, describing it as a ‘cherished principle in Shia Ismaili culture’.We hope that by working together with our charity partners we will bring warmth and a smile to those who are vulnerable.”

Howard Sinclair, St Mungo’s Broadway Chief Executive, said: “We are extremely grateful to the Ismaili Muslim Community for this generous support. Our work supporting homeless men and women to rebuild their lives would not be what it is without the people who give their time, energy and donations such as these. We believe no one should be homeless and that people can – and do – recover from the issues that create homelessness. Our work is significantly aided by donations from supporters”.

Pam Inder, co-chair at partner charity Leicester City of Sanctuary, said: “initiatives such as this one make a big difference in the lives of the most vulnerable here in Leicester. We know that the kindness and generosity will travel far amongst our users in Leicester.”

Share a Smile will also deliver parcels to womens’ shelters in the London area including Hestia Housing and Support, Solace Women’s Aid and The Refuge.

Pat Ryan, chief executive at Hestia, said: “Often women and children flee violent relationships fearing for their lives. When they arrive at one of our refuges, they are distressed, having lived in a state of fear for a long time. They have fled their homes, leaving behind friends, extended family and personal belongings. Without support from projects such as Share a Smile we would be unable to provide these basic, but vital items, to the 500 children and 600 women that we support in our refuges across London each year.”

Volunteers from the Ismaili community and local neighbours will be preparing the parcels of essential items at the community centres in the following areas: Hounslow, Queensbury, South Kensington, Ilford, Croydon, Leicester (Hamilton) and Birmingham (Queensway) on Saturday 5th July.

For more information and to find out timings for packing at each centre or to arrange a photo call contact Shereen Jivraj on 07958 717 725 or email Shereen@jivraj.net

Share a Smile is an initiative of the Ismaili community to help those in need during the Muslim month of Ramadan. The Shia Ismaili Muslims are an ethnically and culturally diverse community whose members reside in over 25 countries and number between 12-15 million globally. The community has been established in the UK since the 1950s and today comprises professionals, entrepreneurs, and students from diverse cultural backgrounds. A significant number of the community are involved in volunteering to improve the quality of life of members of the community and of those amongst whom they live. A recent example is the involvement of 700 volunteers of the Ismaili Muslim community in the 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games. Further information on the Ismaili community is available at http://www.TheIsmaili.org

His Highness the Aga Khan is the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims. Under the Aga Khan’s leadership, he has developed the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of institutions working to improve living conditions and opportunities in specific regions of the developing world. In every country, these institutions work for the common good of all citizens regardless of their origin or religion. Their individual mandates range from architecture, education and health to the promotion of private sector enterprise, the enhancement of non-government organisations and rural development. Further information on the AKDN is available at http://www.akdn.org

Related: http://www.theismaili.org/cms/1591/Ismailis-in-the-UK-share-5000-smiles-this-Ramadan