Tag: volunteers

Volunteers Required to help with crowd control for large numbers of worshippers for each Jamaat of Salaat ul Eid.

We anticipate a large number of people on Wednesday morning. At the last Eid we had over 2000 people come to the Masjid, Al hamdu lillah.

Whilst this is amazing to have such a large number of worshippers we will struggle to help those worshippers and run to time if there are a lack of helpers.

Please commit a small amount of your time and help us on the morning of Eid in shah Allah.
Please contact Brs Rizwan Chohan or Majid Arshad, or for the ladies, Sister Rimsha Abassi and give an idea of when you can help ie. one Jamaat or more.

We need people from both the brothers and sisters side in shah Allah.

Jazakullah Khair for your help.

Current and Ongoing Activities by KMWA Volunteers: 

1. Food Distribution 

Surplus food is picked up from eight Co Op grocery stores by volunteers. This is then redistributed to facilities across Medway who provide shelter and provisions to the homeless community. 

The collection of food occurs at two distinct timings, early morning and late evening. All food collected at 9am is delivered to Gillingham Street Angels.     

The evening collection is delivered to differing homes for the homeless, 

Endeavour Foyer, Springboard Foyer, Regent House  and Amat House.  All are located in Medway.  

In addition, once a week, on a Saturday volunteers take food to the vulnerable and needy in the Sheerness community. 

The following Co Op stores participate in the programme:  

Canterbury Street , Parkwood , Hoo , Wainscott , Watling Street, Delce , Walderslade , Dickens Estate. 

Food is also picked up from one additional source, Tesco Express in Lordswood.   

2. Additionally, volunteers have worked closely with IMAGO based at 60 Balmoral Rd, Gillingham, Kent as and when their needs arise. This help is sporadic in nature. 

3. Volunteers work and support MVA (Medway Voluntary Action).  

Details are not permitted for disclosure due to the sensitive nature of this support and as governed by GDPR. 

4. Considerable support is provided by volunteers to members of the community.  

Community members reach out to the KMWA Coordinator for signposting. Help is implemented as necessary . 

5. KMWA have an excellent partnership with Medway Plus to support Afghan refugees who are supported by Medway Plus at Mid Kent College . 

Past Endeavours 

1. Two Health and Wellness Workshops were held in 2022 in the Conservatory.  

Each of a two hour duration from 2pm to 4pm after Jumaa prayers. 

The workshops were facilitated by Project Officers from Public Health Directorate of Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, ME4 4TR .   

The session on Friday 2nd Dec 2022 also involved personnel  from the Healthy Living Section of Medway Council. 

2. In a collaboration with Medway Plus and Sun pier Gallery a celebration of Islamic Culture & Art was hosted at Sun Pier Art Gallery.  From 8th November to 25th November 2022 members of the public enjoyed exhibits from a varied age range of contributors.  

It proved to be a great success. 

This bridged the gap between differing communities. Artists from Sittingbourne/ Canterbury also took part. Sun Pier report that the footfall has increased measurably after this event . 

3. Following on from this very successful event there was a FREE event to Celebrate Kent Muslim Welfare Association Young Volunteers on Saturday 12th November 2022. From  6 p.m to 9 p.m at  Sun Pier Riverside Gallery & Café, 2nd Floor, Medway Street, Chatham, ME4 4HF 

4. In July 2022 there was a ‘Bring a Dish ‘Dinner. A celebration for young  volunteers and their families at  Tunbury Village Hall. Certificates were presented and gifts donated by friends and family. 

5. In March 2022 there was also a ‘Bring a dish’ party for volunteers to celebrate/network and encourage the efforts of the young. 

6. A trip to reward the Madrassah children and families took place on Tuesday 9th August, 2022 to Margate and Cranbrook Windmill. This was sponsored  by the Test BED FUND Grant  

7. A second reward Trip for KMWA Madrassah/ Afghan Refugees, in conjunction with Medway Plus occurred on  

on Monday, February 13th 2023 to the Victoria and Albert Museum (South 

Kensington). Again, this was sponsored by the Test Bed Fund Grant. 

The coach left the Masjid around 9 a.m.  and returned at approximately 6 p.m.  

Maulana Zahoor accompanied the Madrassah pupils on both trips . 

8. A trip to Cambridge Masjid was organised by Farris Wilson. The visit was paid for by the participants.    

The community cohesion benefited many. 

Future plans : 

1. Continue with the collection and drop off of food for the homeless. 

2.On Monday 22nd May a free trip on the River Medway will take place . NO COST TO KMWA – (Only 12 places on the barge ) .Courtesy of Medway Plus .  

 3.  A trip to the Air Force Museum is planned in June 2023. 

4. A visit to Kent Wildlife Centre (Summer 2023). 

5. A trip to the seaside is planned for the KMWA Volunteers and their families. 

6.  A trip to the Houses of Parliament in Oct 2023. During Half Term 

7. Water sports on the River Medway (courtesy of Medway Plus )  

Please do not hesitate to contact me if any further information is required. 

JazakhaAllah khair 

Rizwana Shelley 

KMWA Coordinator 

Bismillah 

Alhamdulillah by the permission of Allah سبحانه وتعالى and His acceptance we have successfully engaged with our Dawah stall initiative under the KMWA umbrella and accompanied by our various other partners. 

The stall has already accomplished much on our amazing journey of Dawah and volunteers work in our local community. It all began fairly recently – within the last year. It was established as a result of a concern from myself (brother Farris) and Auntie Rizwana on the KMWA volunteers watts app group about how we could be a presence at the grand opening of the Gillingham Street Angels Charity Shop in Chatham – grand opening day. That’s where Neil the CEO of the charity suggested we should come along and be that presence and representation of KMWA volunteers and Dawah outreach initiatives. It should be mentioned that the street angels charity are an amazing community, not even religious based or focused and yet their staff are so welcoming and accommodating every time. 

Since then we have been regularly attending their shop with the stall and it’s still ongoing In Sha Allah. From this Dawah stall initiative we have had an increase in volunteers and even a new Muslim sister entering the fold of Islam. Every week we are on the stall the Qurans are nearly all taken. It has been a huge success and we are expanding further by even seeing us now getting permission to setup in the mall in Maidstone. There we have invited IERA down and other experienced personalities in the work of Dawah that have offered us support and training and is still ongoing In Sha Allah 

Finally, it should be said that the KMWA organisation has been very supportive and to hand at every point, especially in the initial stages. Brother Rizwan has been a fantastic supporter and has been readily available for the stall requirements throughout. We hope this relationship and our efforts for this noble work continues to grow and get stronger. We hope more volunteers – both brothers and sisters can help in any way to support and benefit immensely – even if it’s just your Duas – please let’s not stop now. 

May Allah سبحانه وتعالى reward, bless and accept from us all, Aameen.                

Br Farris Wilson.