(Photo: Nazim Al)
Elham Asaad Buaras
A Bradford man, who was treated in hospital as a child for Tuberculosis, has handed out over 60 gifts to children in hospital Eid al-Adha. Manningham man Nazim Ali has been distributing gifts at Bradford Royal Infirmary’s children’s ward, twice a year for the past five consecutive years, to mark Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Explaining his motivation Ali told The Muslim News: “I spent a large part of my early childhood in the Children’s Ward in Bradford Royal Infirmary due to my struggle with Tuberculosis and I know too well how at times you feel the loneliness and miss being at home with your family and playing with your friends. I am thankful for the amazing care of the BRI Children’s Ward I made a full recovery and this annual Eid Gifts initiative is a means for me to give something back and appreciate what I have that much more.”
The cuddly toys, games and playsets were sponsored by Shiraz Ahmed, Managing Director of Bradford-based Saveco Cash and Carry. “I commend Shiraz Ahmed of selflessly purchasing all these beautiful Eid Gifts for the children so that they can rejoice because the period of Eid is all about thinking of the most vulnerable and taking measures to support them. Eid is a community celebration,” said Ali.
Ahmed said, “We have sponsored a number of initiatives ranging from raising money for Syrian Refugees to sponsoring the Curry Circle Project Soup Kitchen once a month for which I also volunteer for since November 2016. We have gone from strength to strength and are always interested in supporting local initiatives. Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said, “I love children. They are content with the least of things, and gold and mud are the same in their eyes.”
Elaine Drake, the fundraising assistant for the Bradford Hospitals Charity, said: “We are grateful to Shiraz and Nazim for once more providing these fabulous Eid gifts which will certainly cheer up the children knowing there are people out there thinking of them. We look forward to Shiraz and Nazim’s continued support and are grateful for all that they do.”
Ali has over 18 years of community services and fundraising achievements under his belt. Earlier this summer Ali ran the Hull 10k while fasting on one of the hottest days of the year, raising £11,000 so far to help Syrian orphans. Ali has now raised almost £120,000 for charitable causes by taking part in marathons, other runs and multiple charity mountains climb over the last 11 years.