Muslim community donates to Hopley

Columbus Mabika

Herald Reporter

Local Muslim humanitarian organisation Dar al Salaam in partnership with Muslimehelfen of Germany yesterday handed food hampers worth millions of dollars to over 600 families in Hopley as part of their Covid-19 relief response programme to assist communities.

Dar al Salaam chairman, Mr Agrippa Kapuya said his organisation has embarked on continuous food aid programmes nationwide after he received support from Muslimehelfen.

The food is being distributed to needy households irrespective of religious beliefs.

He urged residents to follow Government guidelines in the fight against the pandemic.

“Recently, the President led a national day of fasting so that we can defeat this  deadly pandemic. As religious organisations we should adhere to these principles,” he said.

Mr Kapuya said the initiative was also a social assistance programme to scale up the social safety net for “at-risk” households, targeting over 300 000 food insecure families throughout the country,” he said.

Mr Kapuya called on other religious organisation to follow suit helping the vulnerable in societies.

“Humanitarian work knows no religion, the goal is to find in kind and love to assist those who are at need, it is in this vein that I call upon all religious organisation to join the train of helping the vulnerable in communities,” he said.

He added that the fight against the pandemic had become collective responsibility. 

“We are all hearing of Covid-19 sweeping across the whole world. Every country around the world is in turmoil because of this pandemic and let us all come together and fight this disease,” he said.

One of the local partnering organisations Pro-Choice Logistics said they would continue with this noble gesture in these trying times.

Recipients of the food hampers described the gesture as very generous coming at a time when many needy households were struggling to get decent meals.

Gogo Emilia Chitiyo said at least she would have a decent meal after a long time.

“The donation came at a time when I have gone for days without having a real meal so today (yesterday) I will afford to do so and sleep peacefully thereafter,” she said.