Students from the Jamiatul Ilm wal Huda served subcontinental dishes and smiles to residents at the Salvation Army Shelter.

The secondary school students helped serve out the chicken curry, rice, and naan to the residents and then joined them at the tables for the meal themselves.

The residents described being touched by the kindness, hospitality, and positivity of the students, while the student learned that behind every homeless person they see on the street, there is a living, breathing, emotional human being.

It was also a great opportunity for the teenagers to directly contribute to their society and help change things for the better.

For the teachers of Jamiatul Ilm wal Huda this was an opportunity to bring the Islamic ethics they teach in the classroom to life in the real world.

One teacher said, “It was amazing for the students. Also seeing all the smiles on the faces (of the residents) was great…a perfect opportunity to extend a hand to the wider community.

It was great to see the students interacting, we could see lots of faces smiling and laughing. And we could see that there was this community spirit.”

Tahir Anwar, Relationship Manager for 1st Ethical who organised the visit as part of 1st Ethical’s Ilm 2 Amal programme for Blackburn Darul Uloom spoke about the purpose of the Hot Food Drive.

“We are here today to re-enliven the Prophetic example,” he explained. “He would feed seventy people every day, help any who came to him with a need, and be merciful to those who have fallen upon hard times.”

“It’s also a great opportunity for both parties to meet with each other and break down possible misconceptions and barriers about each other that may have previously existed.”

Colin Mottershead, Service Manager at the centre added, “I’ve seen the residents smiling and engaging today. The residents open up more.

“It makes them relaxed and they are able to share something of their story. When you go home and go to your beds tonight, these homeless people you visited will be talking about this visit.”

“To any other organisations I say, let these students in. The boys have been amazing advocates for their faith. I want to congratulate them for being a real inspiration to others.”

1st Ethical’s Ilm 2 Amal curriculum provides young Muslim students with the opportunities to learn how to transform their knowledge into action, encouraging students to take part in meaningful activity that contributes to the betterment of their communities.

For more information about the work 1st Ethical do, please visit 1stethical.com