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The National
21-03-2025
- Politics
- The National
'You are Syrian and free': British imam hosts iftar for street cleaners in Homs
British imam Adam Kelwick sought moments of joy amid the desolation during his humanitarian trip to Syria which included an Iftar in Homs. The Liverpool-based chaplain who heads the city's Abdullah Quilliam Mosque – the UK's oldest – travelled to Damascus and other Syrian cities this week to give out food parcels and money as part of the charitable work that Muslims undertake during Ramadan. On Thursday, he hosted 120 street cleaners from Homs, in western Syria, for the meal to break the Ramadan fast. 'These are the people who work hard day and night in the service of others, and the people who cleaned up the city after the previous regime had left,' Mr Kelwick told The National. They came in their light blue uniforms and danced at the end of the meal, singing, 'you are Syrian and free'. Mr Kelwick was struck by the hope and optimism of Syrians as they try to pick up the piece and recover their homes in a country that was torn apart by civil war and the Assad regime for decades. 'The feeling on the ground is that anything is better than former regime. Even if people have issues with the new one,' he said. This month, clashes in Syria's coastal region between fighters loyal to deposed former president Bashar Al Assad and forces of the interim government resulted about 1,000 people – including many civilians from the Alawite minority – being killed. This has raised fears over how the government will treat the country's minorities. The visible destruction and depopulation of major cities like Homs, which had remained under the control of the Assad regime, is overwhelming, says Mr Kelwick. 'I was expecting the situation to be bad but it's much worse than I can ever imagine. You're going past gutted building after gutted building,' he said. Mr Kelwick travelled as a volunteer with Action for Humanity, a UK-based charity previously known as Syria Relief. Though the charity had received UK government funding in the past, much of this had been 'substantially cut and reduced', he said, as priorities shifted to Ukraine in 2022. He called for more aid funding to Syria, stressing that this should come 'without strings attached', despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer's additional cuts to foreign aid announced last month. Mr Kelwick is known for having defused far-right riots outside his mosque last summer in the aftermath of the Southport attacks by inviting in some of the rioters. Days before his trip to Damascus, he attended an iftar at Downing Street with Mr Starmer. Mr Kelwick had been to Syria before during the civil war that began in 2011, but only to the north-western region that was held by the opposition to the Assad regime. He had worked for years with refugees in northern Syria, including on a project to build villages for people living in tents in the towns of Afrin and Azaz, in Aleppo governorate. This week marked his first trip to areas formerly controlled by the Assad regime, where Mr Kelwick witnessed the thousands of people returning to their devastated homes. Upon his arrival to Damascus, he went straight to the village of Jobar on the outskirts of the city, which came under heavy shelling by the Syrian army during the civil war. 'We didn't see a single building suitable to live in. The population there was 350,000 and now it's empty,' he said. They met the cemetery's caretaker Abu Fahd, who told them how he'd stayed behind after the bombing to bury hundreds of bodies, including his own father and son. Throughout the visit, women came to Abu Fahd to ask where they could find their husband's burial place, said Mr Kelwick. Another stop was the town of Kafr Zita in western Syria, north of the city of Hama and south of Idlib, where residents were returning after more than a decade of displacement. The Assad regime launched a chemical attack there in 2014, and most of the population fled to Atma tent camp in Idlib. But there was very little left of the town for them to go back to. Raifa, a resident who lost her husband and son among other relatives during the war, told Kelwick that she felt 'a mixture of happiness and sadness' about returning to her destroyed home. 'Our homes are damaged and we've lost so much,' she said. He compared the destruction to what he had seen in Mosul, in northern Iraq, which was seized by ISIS In 2014. Much of the city was destroyed in the battle by US-led coalition and Iraqi forces to remove the militants in 2017. Mr Kelwick visited in the aftermath of the war. 'You feel like they're playing a computer game where the aim is to destroy everything,' he said. In Syria, residents told him how their applications for building permits to rebuild their homes were repeatedly ignored under the former regime. Regime forces would loot the steel reinforcements of destroyed homes to sell as scrap. A silver lining is that this neglect serves as evidence today of the Assad regime's war crimes. 'Now the evidence is everywhere,' Mr Kelwick said. And though he has yet to meet any of the returning families he had known from earlier trips to north-west Syria, he expects to bump into them soon. 'It's only a matter of time,' he said.
Middle East Eye
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Gaza's suffering is far from over - we must act in solidarity
The recent ceasefire in Gaza has brought a fragile sense of relief to a region that has been enduring unimaginable suffering. But for the Palestinian families who have survived the relentless bombing and destruction, the battle is far from over. They continue to face severe poverty, hunger, displacement, and despair. Homes lie in ruins, hospitals are overwhelmed, and children are growing up in an environment where basic needs like food, clean water, and education remain out of reach. As a British-Palestinian and the CEO of Action for Humanity, I have witnessed firsthand the resilience of the Palestinian people. But resilience alone is not enough to rebuild lives. It is our collective responsibility to step in, extend our hands and hearts, and let the families of Gaza know that they are not alone. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters This is why we at Action for Humanity have launched the "Extend Your Table: Gaza Family Twinning" initiative - a programme rooted in solidarity, empathy, and the timeless values of our shared humanity. Crisis beyond words The humanitarian needs in Gaza are staggering. By 'twinning' with a family in Gaza, supporters are forging a bond of compassion and solidarity that transcends borders Even before the war, more than 80 percent of the population depended on humanitarian aid to survive. Since then, food insecurity has escalated to unprecedented levels, with families struggling to afford even the simplest meals. Healthcare systems, already stretched to their limits, are now on the brink of collapse. Schools have been reduced to rubble, and access to clean water remains a daily challenge for many. In this context, the "Extend Your Table" initiative is more than just a lifeline; it is a beacon of hope. For a set monthly donation, families around the world can "twin" with a family in Gaza, providing critical support to meet their daily needs. This twinning is not just about financial assistance; it is about restoring dignity, rebuilding lives, and fostering a sense of global solidarity. Forging a bond The concept of extending one's table is deeply rooted in Islamic tradition. During the time of the Prophet Muhammad, the Muhajireen (emigrants) were welcomed by the Ansaar (supporters) in Medina in an extraordinary display of brotherhood and generosity. The Ansaar shared their homes, food, and lives with those who had fled persecution in Mecca. Follow Middle East Eye's live coverage of the Israel-Palestine war This bond was not just an act of charity; it was a profound embodiment of unity and faith. Today, the "Extend Your Table" initiative seeks to rekindle this spirit of brotherhood. By twinning with a family in Gaza, supporters are forging a bond of compassion and solidarity that transcends borders. They are telling a family in Gaza: "We see you. We hear you. We stand by your side." Through this initiative, we are using one of the recognised methods within the aid and development community - cash and voucher assistance - to support families impacted by crises. This approach empowers families to meet their own needs, but it can also contribute to rebuilding homes, as many families in Gaza have lost their dwellings due to relentless, indiscriminate airstrikes. Critical support With humanitarian aid blocked from entering the Strip, families in Gaza have been suffering from a severe food insecurity crisis. Amid fragile ceasefire, the Gaza tribunal on genocide will bring us closer to justice Read More » This initiative will help alleviate this catastrophe by providing families with access to nutritious meals and clean water. Moreover, Gaza's healthcare system is overwhelmed; countless people have been maimed and injured by the brutal war, leaving many families unable to afford medical treatment. "Extend Your Table" can help these families cover critical expenses. But the impact extends beyond supporting the families in the twinning initiative. By providing families with cash assistance, we enable them to spend locally, which helps revitalise businesses, foster economic recovery, and combat war-induced poverty. Another way this initiative can help is by covering education costs. Education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and this programme can help children in Gaza access schooling and fulfil their aspirations for a brighter future. Call to action The "Extend Your Table" initiative is not just a programme; it is a movement and a call to action. It is an invitation for individuals, families, and communities around the world to stand in solidarity with Gaza. As a British-Palestinian, I carry with me the stories of my people: their struggles, their resilience, and their unwavering hope in humanity The world has often turned a blind eye to the suffering of Palestinians, but we must not. We, the masses, have the power to make a difference, to restore hope, and to rebuild shattered lives. As a British-Palestinian, I carry with me the stories of my people: their struggles, their resilience, and their unwavering hope in humanity. This initiative is a way to honour those stories and ensure that the families of Gaza know they have not been forgotten. I invite you to join us on this journey of compassion and solidarity. Extend your table to a family in Gaza and be part of a legacy of hope and humanity. Together, we can rebuild not just homes but the bonds that unite us as a global family. To learn more about the "Extend Your Table: Gaza Family Twinning" initiative and to sign up, please visit The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.
