We recently held the following event on ‘The Internalisation of Conflict and Pulls on Young People,’ in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. Speaking at the event were Commander Mak Chishty of the Metropolitan Police Service and a young female Muslim doctor, (Dr Shameela), who has visited Syria and provided medical care to Syrians, injured in the devastating violence in the country. Her message was one which inspired attendees to help Syrians but to do so through registered British charities providing relief in the country and by volunteering for them. Dr Shameela has visited Syria in aid convoys and was clear that whilst Syrians need the support of British Muslims, it is also imperative that British Muslims do so safely and without endangering their lives in a conflict zone.
Commander Mak Chishty acknowledged the strong ethos within British Muslim circles of charity giving and in standing up for righteousness and justice. The Commander also laid out the reality that people travelling out to Syria risked their futures since they would undoubtedly be risking their futures by travelling to the country. He also acknowledged that many British Muslims felt despair and wanted to support innocent Syrians and he urged attendees to support them through registered charities. Commander Chishty was also clear that he despaired at the loss of life in Syria and as a practising Muslim, he believed that much could be done through charities in the UK.
Further details on the event can be obtained from the Director of Faith Matters, Fiyaz Mughal OBE by e-mailing info@faith-matters.org
