My Story

In just under four months, the charity HHUGS (Helping Homes Under Great Stress) could cease to exist, leaving hundreds of vulnerable children and single-mothers with little or no support. This is something we, as Muslims, cannot and must not allow to happen.

HHUGS is the only charity of its kind in the UK. It was set up in 2004 in order to provide practical support and advice to families that have been affected by anti-terror legislation.

There were 304 arrests made last year (2016-2017) under the Terrorism Act 2000. Approximately only a third of that figure were charged with a terrorism-related offence.[1]

The recent case of Muhammad Rabbani, Director of CAGE, shows that a person can be convicted under anti-terror legislation simply for refusing to hand over their passwords to police on the grounds of protecting client confidentiality.[2]

When someone's home is raided by anti-terror police, their life is literally turned upside down. Personal belongings and cash are siezed, property is left damaged, and it can take months, possibly a couple of years, to return to normality – and that's if they're released or bailed without being charged! On top of that, Children's Social Care will usually be pressured by police to get involved.

As a former beneficiary myself, I cannot express how grateful I am for all the help HHUGS have given me in the past. While I was in prison, they would send me money to help pay for phone calls (which were recognised as being extortionate at the time), buy stationery (such as writing pads, envelopes and stamps) and snacks. They would also facilitate family visits and drop off Eid packs, which often included fresh halal meat, rice, cooking oil, books, Islamic boardgames and DVDs, and so much more. When I was released from prison, I was forced to live in a hostel for 18 months, away from my family home. HHUGS helped pay for my daily commute (to see my wife and kids) as well as rent, or service charge, as it was formally called. I'm just one person. How many individuals, children, and "single-mums" have HHUGS helped since its inception in 2004?

Now, this organisation that has been "helping homes under great stress" is in need of our help and support. HHUGS is fulfilling a very important obligation on our behalf. We must do all we can to help it continue its work.

All we need is a thousand people to set up a standing order of only £2.50 a week (£10 per month). That's the price of a sandwich or cup of coffee. This will enable HHUGS to continue functioning. Considering there are approximately three-million Muslims in the UK, this in theory shouldn't be hard to achieve.

It doesn't matter where you're from – whether the UK or abroad – you can still help HHUGS.

If your mother, father or a sibling of yours has passed away (may Allah forgive them and grant them Jannah), why not set up a standing order in their name, as sadaqah jariyah (continuous charity) for them? According to Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, the punishment of the grave can be stopped or lightened by du'a, charity or seeking forgiveness for them (al-Rooh, p. 89).

Alternatively, you can set up a standing order for yourself, in order to fulfil the very important obligation of helping Muslims in need. Remember, charity begins at home!

You can donate and set up a standing order on this page.

If you're not able to help, please make du'a that we reach this target of a thousand donors, share this link with family and friends, and do your best to encourage them to become donors.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. May Allah make Hellfire prohibited for you. Ameen!

Abu Muwahhid (Shah Jalal)

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[1] https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/15/terror-arrests-reach-record-high-due-to-uk-security-threat

[2] http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/official-defending-torture-victims-terrorism-170928111316886.html