Muslim women travel hours to distribute food among bushfire victims

As bushfires raged in Australia, these women members of the Australian Islamic Centre set out to help their fellow countrymen.

The group from a Melbourne suburb filled five trucks full of
donated supplies and raised $1,500 in only 48 hours, the CNN reported.

They traveled, along with other volunteers, more than four
hours to distribute the supplies among people affected by bushfires, according
to Rashid Elhouli, who oversees online public relations for the AIC.

But they didn’t stop there and travelled further. Upon
reaching the Johnsonville area, these women cooked breakfast for 150
firefighters.

“[I] extend the thanks from the fire affected
areas,” Rodney Baylis, a Johnsvonville firefighter, is heard telling them
in a video posted on Facebook.

“I just been on the phone to the captain down there and
he nearly broke into tears when I told him what we are bringing in for them
today.”

Firefighters in Australia have been working tirelessly for
the past several months to battle the raging bushfires.

More than 2,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged this
fire season in New South Wales, the CNN reported, quoting the state’s Rural
Fire Service.

Elhouli said they started making plans to help people out
after speaking to the Melbourne Fire Brigade.

They used social media to spread the word out that the AIC
was collecting supplies such as female hygiene products, water bottles, milk,
baby wipes, and fresh fruit.

After the Friday prayers, the center hosted a fundraiser,
selling plates of food to raise money. The event was originally scheduled for
their youth program.

“The money was meant to go towards girls youth
activities,” Elhouli said. “But they decided to donate it all to the
bushfire appeal.”

Early Saturday, the caravan of five trucks filled with
donations set out on its journey.

After feeding the firefighters, the Melbourne Fire Brigade escorted the volunteers to different areas to distribute those items.

Follow SAMAA English on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Article source: https://www.samaa.tv/global/2020/01/muslim-women-travel-hours-to-provide-food-to-australian-firefighters/