Islamic Relief UK and Crookston Community Group teamed up to help some of the most vulnerable families in Glasgow after Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha

Islamic Relief UK supported the Crookston Community Group (CCG) to some of the most vulnerable families in Glasgow on Friday 22 July with 300 food packs and 200 KG Qurbani meat.

This was part of a wider initiative led by Islamic Relief UK involving 19 partners across the country to deliver food packs, Qurbani (1) meat and Eid gifts to coincide with the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha (2).

The charities will be supporting families who are facing hardship because of the rising cost of living and increased pressures due to high energy bills.

Crookston Community Group are reporting a huge demand to support families and individuals in poverty, including new refugee families and asylum seekers in emergency needs. As meat becomes unaffordable for them, the lack of nutrition can affect their health.

CCG has it strong and close partnership with Glasgow City Council – GCC, our overriding aims and objectives are in accordance with GCC advice and guidance mainly for four principles which should guide a dignified response to food insecurity:

The demand for support from CCG Pantry (formerly CCG Foodbank) has been extraordinarily high and has gone further beyond CCG’s immediate community to neighbouring council areas in Glasgow.

CCG are one of the very few organisations delivering emergency supplies of ambient food, toiletries, household supplies and hot meals to vulnerable groups including households shielding and those in quarantine to ensure they do not go hungry.

Many people have been hit hard by the cost of living crisis, especially low-income families, those suffering from domestic abuse, people who are homeless, asylum seekers and refugees.

Nasreen Ali, Crookston Community Group Chair said “We would like to continue to achieve our program’s outcomes: more families & individuals are providing for their families with dignity, and are gaining the confidence and skills to transition altogether from receiving food parcels, are feeling supported and heard. Children feel less isolated and less insecure about food. Volunteers feel valued and respected.”

Nadeem Baqir, Regional Community Fundraising Manager, Islamic Relief UK said “Islamic Relief UK is proud to be working side by side with Crookston Community Group who have been a life line to communities in Glasgow. By delivering emergency supplies to those most vulnerable and shielding, the group is providing a vital service to those most in need.

Families in the UK are struggling to put food on the table as a result of the cost of living crisis and things are getting worse. We hope these food packs will bring much needed relief to those families who have been struggling this crisis.”

For any questions or to request to interview one of our spokespeople, please contact:

1. Qurbani means sacrifice. Every year during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims around the world slaughter an animal – a goat, sheep, cow or camel – to reflect the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail, for the sake of

God. In 2022, Qurbani distributions will aim to reach more people than ever before. After the animal has been sacrificed, its meat is then distributed to those most in need.

2. The month of Dhul Hijjah is one of the holiest periods of the Islamic year, when two very special events (Hajj and Eid ul Adha) take place. Hajj in Islam is a sacred pilgrimage performed by Muslims at the holy mosque Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and takes place during the month of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month in the Islam calendar. As Muslims, undertaking Hajj in Islam – is a spiritual duty, as long as they are financially, physically and emotionally able to do so. On Eid al-Adha, Muslims remember the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim (AS). In remembrance of his sacrifice and to help the poor and needy, Muslim give Qurbani.

Our charity was established in 2012 by a group of multi-cultural local people who took over an unused Community Centre to make a positive contribution to the cohesion & economy of the community, to help neighbourhoods feel safe again, rekindle old-fashioned community spirit and bring a sense of belonging with the objectives to:

Operating for 7+ years, CCG is trusted within the community and known as the “Go-To” place!

Islamic Relief is a faith-inspired, development and humanitarian agency working to transform and save the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in over 40 countries. Islamic Relief assists people according to need and does not discriminate in any way.

Set up in Birmingham in 1984 by a group of volunteers, we have assisted over 117 million people all over the world. We’re saving lives and empowering people to lift themselves out of poverty in over 40 countries – from Bangladesh to Bosnia, Pakistan to Palestine, Kenya to Kosovo. Islamic Relief is on the ground in some of the world’s most dangerous and difficult places – including Syria and Yemen – strengthening the most marginalised communities to withstand conflict and natural disasters and to build a brighter future. We also support vulnerable people in the UK in partnership with local charities and organisations.