Published on Mar 20 2010 by Yousaf Aftab

 MKA Bradford North Khidmat-e-Khalq Activities (Nov 2009 – February 2010)

 

Nursing Home Visits

Every month, members of MKA Bradford North visit residents of Pollard House Nursing Home, 68 Pollard Lane.

The trips have been ongoing monthly since February 2009 where two or three Khuddam visit the centre with flowers, newspapers, or magazines and speak to the elderly people and staff for 10 minutes.

Hospital Visits

The Khuddam are encouraged to visit members of the Jama'at and make general visits to the local hospitals.

During the Christmas season, three Khuddam visited Bradford Royal Infirmary’s Children’s Ward and gave toys (donated through collections from the Khuddam).

Homeless Feeding

Bradford North Khuddam provide food for the homeless after Jama'at General Meetings or functions. Again, two or three members take the food to the ASSISI House Project of Bradford, who provide temporary housing for those in needs.

We have formed a good relationship with John Joyce, the chair-person of the Housing Project and we have been invited to events with multi-faith organisations in where we can raise the profile of MKA Bradford North and the work we carry out.

Working with Local Charities

Again, as well as the ASSISI House Project, MKA Bradford North has built a good rapport with Barnardo's Leeds offices as well as Macmillan Cancer Research. We are also looking to involve ourselves with Cancer Research UK and do a charity clothes collection for them.  

Reported by Qaid Bradford North, Nasir Amini, he went and gave old clothes to the Oxfam Charity Shop in December. Again something the whole Jama'at is being encouraged to do.

Blood Donations

Alhamdulillah, 10 members of Bradford North MKA were part of the regional blood donation session held on Sunday 7^th February 2010. There were also two Khuddam who were late on arrival to the session who couldn’t then participate in the session but they will be going to the local donor centre to give blood.

There are also active members who follow the instructions given directly by The National Blood Service to the donor. For example, a couple of the Khuddam regularly visit the local centre and give blood as well as platelet donations.

There shall be another North East Blood Donation Session in May where there shall be more beds available and therefore, Insha’Allah a higher turnout.

Media Related Activities

By the Grace of Allah, Bradford North had a major breakthrough with media related activities in the beginning of the year. Alhamdulillah.

The Regional Blood Donation Session got prime time evening news coverage on ITV Local News as well as a mention on Sunrise Radio Yorkshire and in the local printed press.

We are continuing to strengthen our relationships with the media, Insha’Allah and we shall be ongoing with informing them of our activities.

Environmental Initiatives

As we all know, the UK experienced a very cold and snowy winter. We had below freezing temperatures and Arctic snow storms. Unfortunately, Bradford City Council were unhelpful in providing snow clearing and MKA took matters into their own (cold) hands.

A team of six Khuddam, on two occasions, had to clear Rees Way, the downhill slope leading to Masjid Al-Mahdi. We had two 4x4 vehicles and a van to clear the road with and then there was a clearing of the main pavement leading down to the entrance of the mosque.

Alhamdulillah, we managed to clear the paths for Jumu'ah prayers and we were given praises for our work.

 

Other Khidmat-e-Khalq Activities

 

Business in the Community Event

Bradford North hosted Business in the Community in November at Masjid Al-Mahdi.

An event to introduce the Jama'at to the top executives of Yorkshire based businesses and this gave us, as MKA, an opportunity to highlight the activities we undertake both internally and externally. These included Yorkshire Bank, BT, RBS, and other blue-chip organisations.

Alhamdulillah, they were impressed by our external volunteering efforts and departmental structure and ethics.

We made good contacts at the event, had positive follow up feedback within three weeks (Yorkshire Bank), who also wanted to return to the Mosque. This has provided us with further networking opportunities, Insha’Allah.

Fundraising

MKA Bradford North participated in the recent Humanity First Haiti Earthquake Campaign. We were overwhelmed with the involvement of the Khuddam for three continuous weekends in which we had two street collections and supermarket checkout assistance.

Bradford North were also active in collections at Jumu'ah prayers as well as directing friends and family to the Just Giving website.

A total collection of over £4,500 was contributed by members of MKA Bradford North.

General Khidmat-e-Khalq

Throughout the months, Alhamdulillah Bradford North K-e-K Dept has ongoing volunteering efforts with litter duties around the mosque, setting up and taking down for Jama'at events, etc.