Lord Sheikh on Muslim Contribution during Pandemic

Lord Sheikh on Muslim contribution

to charities in the House of Lords

Dr. Mozammel Haque

There was a debate by virtual proceedings on businesses on public and private sector in the House of Lords on 21 May 2020. Lord Dobbs secured this very timely and much-needed debate reflecting on how businesses and the private sector are collaborating to address this Covid-19 pandemic which is cutting across people’s lives and livelihood.  Lord Dobbs’ belief the country needs a vibrant private sector of both by companies and SMEs.   

There was a lively debate and discussion on this topic. Among others, Lord Sheikh made his contribution on the British Muslims contribution to humanitarian and charitable purposes. Lord Sheikh told me that the time allocated was only two minutes and he had to keep his comments brief. He also said to me, “I feel that we must tell everyone about the contributions made by the Muslims during the pandemic in the country.”

Participating in the debate, Lord Sheikh mentioned, “My Lords, there are more than 3 million Muslims in the United Kingdom. Last year, Muslims donated more than £130million to humanitarian and charitable purposes. Donors included a number of businesses. This year, the figure will be higher as the community wants to help during the Covid pandemic. Per capita, the Muslim community gives more than any other community to help others.”

Lord Sheikh also maintained, “When Covid-19 hit the country, individuals, businessmen, charities, mosques, centres and organisations recognised the need to provide immediate and effective help. Muslim businesses include caterers, takeaways, pharmacists, shopkeepers, taxi owners and other small businesses. The business community plays an active role.”

Talking about Muslim charities, Lord Sheikh said, “Muslim charities set up a campaign for national solidarity and provided financial help to individuals and families in difficulties. I thank the noble Lord, Lord Desai, for mentioning charities. Muslims have established food banks providing meals, provisions and other essentials to elderly and vulnerable people as well as to refugees and the homeless. In addition, meals are supplied to hospitals and NHS staff. Furthermore, prescriptions are delivered to people at home. Victims of domestic abuse have been given support.”

Lord Sheikh said, “The community has also provided financial help to families to bury their deceased. It is in our DNA to help other communities irrespective of their race or religion, and we have played a role to support the needy in the country during these difficult times. Muslim doctors have been offering training to medical students joining the front line. Finally, it was a Muslim doctor, Ibn Sina, known as Avicenna, who taught the world the use of quarantine to control disease. His legacy is protecting us from coronavirus.”

Lord Callanan the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department

For Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in his reply stated the following:

“I would indeed like to congratulate the Bangladesh Caterers Association, as well as the Muslim community, on their efforts, as mentioned by the noble Lord, Lord Sheikh”.