In the time of Corona ... Italian Muslims are racing to do good

Abdul Majeed Al Faraji - Turin

"Welcome, we are brothers. Don't be shy to return to take the foodstuff you need." This is how Bahaa, an Italian citizen of Egyptian descent, spoke, delivering a basket with vegetables to a Moroccan woman in his restaurant, who turned him into a point for distributing social aid, in the San Salvari neighborhood, with a bartole alley in Turin (the capital of the northern Piedmont region in Italy).

Since the start of the quarantine to limit the spread of the Corona virus (Covid-19) in Italy on March 10, which led to the freezing of most of the joints of the Italian economy, and to the suspension of a large percentage of Italians from work; many rushed to provide food aid to those who stopped their work, and did not They are able to earn their living, and these are Muslim individuals and associations throughout the country.

One of these forty-year old Bahaa, known for his activity and liveliness in his neighborhood, who decided during the second week of quarantine to continue to work, but for no charge, he first began distributing "shawarma" dishes to his neighbors in the neighborhood, after he opened his restaurant for free to the public In solidarity with his second country, he says.

Youth of Goodness group
Three weeks ago, Bahaa and his friends formed an initiative that he called the "Youth of Goodness Group", which is made up of members of the Arab community and Italians, who cooperate with each other to provide basic food items (rice, flour, oil, sugar, milk ...), in addition to vegetables and fruits For a number of Italian and Arab families and immigrants of other origins, who are in greatest need of help.

The repercussions of the Corona Virus epidemic appeared on the vulnerable groups of the Italian population, especially those who were working in a manner described as "illegal" on the black market, or the daily-workers.

Naima is one of the Moroccan immigrant women who was affected by the interruption of work due to the spread of the epidemic, where she lost her job and was a daily cleaning worker. "The situation is very difficult for immigrants who work precariously, and are illegal," she says. This hadeeth was confirmed by Naima (thirty years) to Al-Jazeera Net while she was in Bahaa restaurant, and she is benefiting from some food benefits.

Goodness pervades Italy
The initiative of Baha and his friends is similar to other initiatives undertaken by the Muslim community in Italy, whether they are individuals or through associations, mosques and Islamic centers in Turin and other Italian cities.

On the value of Islamic charitable movements in this sensitive circumstance experienced by Italy, the President of the Union of Islamic Organizations in Italy, Yassine, told Al-Jazeera Net: “We commend the great role played by Islamic societies, mosques and Islamic centers. Through my continuous communication with those in charge of mosques, I monitored the contribution of this religious institution to Providing assistance to Italian families and Muslim and non-Muslim immigrants, by providing basic foodstuffs. "

And it refers to Frem that Muslims have been able to collect nearly five hundred thousand euros for civil protection, hospitals, the municipality, associations working in volunteer work, the Red Cross, and other bodies working to counter the negative impact that the spread of the Corona epidemic in Italy continues to have.

He added that a number of Islamic charitable initiatives have provided cash aid, which has had a positive impact on the level of social media, as calls for fundraising have appeared in many Islamic centers and societies across Italian soil.

"We are very proud in the Union of Islamic Organizations for the positive role played by Italian Muslims, by donating money and blood, and forming voluntary teams to transfer food donations and medicines to the needy," he added to the chop - which was talking to Al Jazeera Net from the city of Bologna, the capital of Emilia-Romagna afflicted by the Corona virus. Especially the infirm. "

Financial donations
Through its contact with a number of heads of Islamic societies and those in charge of mosques, Al Jazeera Net monitored the success of fundraising campaigns, especially in the Italian north afflicted by the epidemic of Covid-19. The coordination of the mosques in Turin, to name a few, was able to collect approximately 16 thousand euros for The medical complex in the area.

"The initiative of the Mosques of Turin through financial donations, which were launched in the current circumstances, and responds to the aspirations of the Muslim community in the region, which was eager to participate in it," said Mohamed Bahr El Din, head of the Italian Islamic Federal General.

The head of the Islamic Center (Mosque of Peace), Hassan Batal, describes the fundraising process as "from the heart of our true religion, which urges solidarity and social solidarity. This is our second country and we are part of it, we have what we have, and we have what we have to do, and if we don't do that We will be sinners. "

This is also confirmed by Muhammad Shaheen, the Imam of the "Omar Mosque", who pointed out that the contribution of Muslims is a human legitimate duty, and a demonstration of the value of humanity in Islam, as stated in the hadith of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "The best of people is the most beneficial to people."

Rethinking our relationships
Nicolas Zingari, a researcher in Islamic anthropology and culture at the University of Turin, commented on the charitable initiatives of the Muslim community in the time of Corona, saying that what happened in the city of Turin of Muslim donations is something special.

Stressing that "most of the initiatives and the deepest of them were on the initiative of religious and Islamic societies and bodies in particular," adding that "the gift may become the finest model of exchange in these dark times, where we need to rethink our relationship with solidarity, with others and with ourselves."