LONDON: A UK-based pro-Palestinian humanitarian charity has raised £15,000 ($18,044) to provide medical aid for Palestinian communities over a lavish dinner, organizers have said.
About 250 guests attended a “Come Dine for Palestine” event organized by Medical Aid for Palestine in Walthamstow, London last Saturday, and organizers said they had exceeded their target of £10,000.
Organized by human rights activist, Arifa Naseem, the event was in memory of Palestinian-American journalist Shirin Abu Akleh, who was shot last year by Israeli forces wearing a press jacket while covering a raid in the West Bank city of Jenin. month.
“Shirin’s fearlessness and courage in the face of the unbearable reality prompted Arifa to host another fundraising dinner in support of medical aid for Palestine,” organizers said.
About 250 guests attended the ‘Come Dine for Palestine’ event organized by Medical Aid for Palestine. (Supply/Sana Memon)
“We are very grateful to live in a generous and kind community where people will come forward to express their solidarity and their care for the plight of the Palestinian people,” he said.
Hosted by local radio presenter Tahrim Noor, guest speakers included MP and former shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, Khalid Fundy, representative of the Palestinian Mission in the UK and a Palestinian born in a South Lebanon refugee camp.
Entertainment included a musical arrangement of a Rumi poem by Everton Bahadur-Young, a short film screening, and introductory remarks by writer and producer of Home, Salih Choudhury, founder of Noopics. The event also included photographs of the Palestinian Olive Harvest, courtesy of the Waltham Forest Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
The gala charity dinner featured entertainment and auctions. (Supply/Sana Memon)
Items at auction include a signed Quentin Blake print made especially for MAP, a cricket bat signed by Imran Khan, a cricket ball signed by Muhammad Amir, a garment made by Palestinian women in the West Bank and Wasim Mohammed and Saiba Salaam . Art is included.
In 2018, MAP held a charity iftar during the Muslim month of Ramadan and raised more than £21,000 in support of Gaza.
MAP works for the health and dignity of Palestinians living under occupation and as refugees. With offices located in London, Beirut, Ramallah and Gaza City, MAP responds rapidly in times of crisis and works directly with communities on sustainable health development.