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the needy On Thursday, 10th September local faith groups will be getting together outside St. Paul's Church in Walsall to help the needy and homeless, they will be assisted by the Mayor of Walsall, Cllr. John O'Hare, the Bishop of Lichfield, local Imams and Priests. Two charities, the Oak Tree Trust and the Midlands International Aid Trust, who have over many years been helping people in need in the third world, and St Paul's Church at the Crossing are coming together during Ramadan to help people who are suffering very hard times here at home. Mr Aslam MBE, chair of MIAT said; "The Month of Ramadan is a month of spiritual reflection and is also a time when the Muslim community undertakes considerable charitable works and donations. The nature of fasting means that Muslims are duty bound to consider the welfare of the disadvantaged, the homeless and those in need in society. As part of this spiritual reflection, the Trust's Muslim donors with this free evening meal for the Walsall homeless and disadvantaged want to reach out to the wider community and to provide both a glimpse of the true peaceful, benevolent and spiritual nature of Islam but to also show the inherent inclusive sentiment of the Muslim community". The Rev Mark Kinder, vicar of St Paul's at the Crossing, said; "We are thrilled to be working together with the Trust on the basis of our shared compassion for the poorest in our society. So often religion is blamed for division, in this project we demonstrate that bridges can be built between different faiths based on our shared commitment to care for others". Cllr. Dr. Ian Robertson chair of Oak Tree Trust said; "We are inviting the homeless of Walsall, people whose lives are failing due to alcohol or other drug addiction, and those known to Walsall Social Services who are also at 'rock bottom' to come along for the meal as part of the work that we as practising Christians have done over the last 20 years helping people in crisis all over the world". We are hoping that the evening will be attended by the Rt. Rev. Clive Gregory the Bishop of Wolverhampton. The meal will take place on the square outside St. Paul's, from 7.30 until 9.00pm and is planning to serve 80 free meals. The meal will consist of a chicken or vegetable curry, nan bread, and rice with tea or coffee. Ends..... Editors notes: Photo opportunities 10.30am at St. Paul's the Crossing on Thursday 10th September, with the Mayor Cllr. O'Hare. Background This joint event is sponsored and funded by the Midland International Aid Trust and Oak Tree Trust which are Walsall based charitable bodies specialising in international aid and charitable works. This event has been promoted by Muslim donors who wish to give benefit to the wider Walsall community as part of their charitable duty during the Islamic Month of Ramadan and by Christian donors (from Oak tree Trust) who also recognise that many local residents face difficult times. For further information, about the event please contact Reverend Mark Kinder / Samuel Leach 01922 620669. The Oak Tree Trust has been established in Walsall for over 20 years. It is a charity with a marked Christian ethos; for more information on the Oak Tree Trust please contact Ian Robertson on 01922 634642. The Midlands International Aid Trust is mainly based in the Muslim community, for more information please contact Gul Khan on 0779 21 73 068. Ramadan is the month for fasting during daylight hours for those of the Muslim faith. New Horizons Community Enterprise, formerly Walsall's New Deal for Communities is a regeneration initiative working in the areas of Blakenall, Bloxwich and Leamore. The initiative received a £52 million Government grant from the Department for Communities and Local Government (formerly the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) to be spent on sustainable regeneration spread over a ten year period that commenced 2001. www.newhorizonscommunityenterprise.org.uk |
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