Worthing Muslims rally for Pakistan flood victims

Members of Worthing Mosque, in Ivy Arch Road, held a collection after two sets of Friday prayers, raising 1,600.

Chairman of Worthing Islamic Society, Ali Abdul Rahman, said he estimated about 150 of the 500 people who attended the two prayer sessions had family living in Pakistan.

He said: "The devastation in Pakistan is close to many of our hearts.

"Many members of the Muslim community in Worthing are originally from Pakistan, so many of them have relatives and loved ones who are affected by the flooding.

"The response to our collection was very strong, everyone feels very strongly about what is happening in Pakistan. It's our faith to do everything we can to help those who are suffering."

Washed away

Worthing resident Tariq Javed, 25, has family and friends in Pakistan.

He said: "Luckily, my relatives live in Kashmir, which has not been as badly affected by the flooding, but I have many friends who I used to go to university and college with who are from some of the most flooded areas."

Tariq said: "I managed to speak to two of my friends on Monday. My friend Shaid Kabeer was living in Nowshera and he got stuck there with his wife when the floods came in.

"He has lost everything because of this utterly devastating natural disaster."

Generous response

Dr Faisal Ahmed, who works at Ball Tree Surgery in Sompting, is urging every household in Worthing to donate 1 each to the relief effort.

He said: "People in the worst hit areas are only just surviving. They are standing on top of roofs to stay alive, they are desperate, they need the basic things like food, clean water and clothing.

"The response from Worthing's Muslim community has been good but we need the whole town to come together now and give their support and show their generosity. If every homeowner donated 1, it would go a long way to help."

Worthing West MP Peter Bottomley sent a cheque for 100 to the mosque taking the total amount raised to 1,700.

There are a number of ways to donate, including through the British Red Cross or Oxfam. Visit redcross.org.uk/pakistanfloods or www.oxfam.org.uk for details.

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