Roses have been handed out to shoppers and toys delivered to poorly children as part of an annual initiative marking the birth and life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The Nazim Ali Foundation’s annual Mawlid in the City returned to Bradford and Keighley, with volunteers taking acts of kindness into town centres, hospitals and the wider community.
Around 150 roses were handed to members of the public in Keighley town centre, while gifts were delivered to children at Airedale Hospital.
Nurses and other hospital staff were also presented with roses in recognition of their work.
The initiative coincides with Rabi’ al-Awwal, the month in the Islamic calendar traditionally associated with the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Foundation founder Nazim Ali said the aim was to reflect values including kindness, compassion and service to others while bringing together people from different backgrounds.
He said: “The roses symbolise love, happiness, hope, positivity and inclusiveness.
“To this end I feel the initiative was successful as so many people were touched by the gesture.
“It truly was wonderful to see the smiles on the faces of the homeless, needy, youth, elderly – from all communities and walks of life.”
Bringing communities together
Nazim, who has been involved in charitable and civic work for almost three decades, said the initiative was intended to reach beyond the Muslim community.
He said the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had inspired his approach to community work and helping others, regardless of faith or ethnicity.
The project also included the Foundation’s Creating Smiles Gifts Initiative, which has now been running for more than 13 years.
Toys, play sets and gifts for babies through to teenagers were delivered for children receiving hospital care.
Nazim said: “Acts of kindness show that we in the wider community care. “Ultimately, it is about uplifting their spirits.”
He added that having experienced difficult periods in his own life had strengthened his empathy for families going through challenging circumstances.
Over the years, he said he had spent thousands of pounds of his own money on charitable projects, alongside support received from businesses, friends, volunteers and members of the community.
Among those joining this year’s initiative were Wajid Khan and his sons Hassan and Yusuf, and nieces Fatima Hussain and Aminah.
Nazim thanked those who had helped buy, collect and distribute the gifts, as well as long-term supporters Shiraz Ahmed and Faz Ahmed of Saveco Cash & Carry.
‘Always cheer up the children’
Karen Reece, play leader at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, thanked the Foundation for its continuing support.
She said the gifts “always cheer up the children”, adding: “Thank you for thinking of us again, we appreciate your kindness.”
Nazim said Mawlid was a time for Muslims to reflect on the Prophet Muhammad’s life and teachings, but said values such as kindness, generosity and compassion could be shared across communities.
He said: “Such values help bring communities together regardless of belief.”
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is reported to have said: “Verily Allah is kind and He loves kindness.”
For those involved in ‘Mawlid in the City’, Nazim said the message was a simple one – putting that kindness into practice.
