Bazaar raises over €1,000 to help ActionAid in their work for Gaza

THE ANNUAL Meena Bazaar held in St Finian’s Community Hall in Newcastle earlier this month raised €1,050 for ActionAid to assist their work helping Palestinians in Gaza.

Now in its 13th year, the bazaar is organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association (AMA) with the aim of raising funds for local charities.

At the Meena Bazaar on Sunday, May 5, a total of 135 women and children attended and got to browse and purchase items from several stalls around the centre.

The stalls had Asian food, cakes and desserts, traditional clothes, handmade jewellery, and henna, and there were children’s games – all to generate funds for ActionAid.

The event was also led by the group’s motto, ‘Love for all, hatred for none’, and a stall was set up providing information to dispel misconceptions about Islam.

Local politicians attended the Meena Bazaar, including councillors Louise Dunne and Shirley O’Hara, and the community garda for Lucan, Donagh Hanrahan, also took part in the Bazaar.

Cllr Louise Dunne said to the AMA: “I want to thank you so much for the invite to the Ahmadiyya Community event today – Charity for ActionAid and Gaza.

“It’s fantastic, there is a real buzz about the place, foods, the jewellery, the cakes, everything is really good.

“I love your quote, ‘Love for all, hatred for none’, and your ‘Voices for Peace’ and I want to wish you all the best today and I hope you have a fantastic day.

“I look forward to spending some time with more of your women and children of the community.”

The event also received praise from Garda Hanrahan, who said: “Today’s event is brilliant.

“The ladies have been so welcoming, and the children are all great.

“I am a community guard in the local area and it’s amazing to get involved in the Ahmadiyya community.”

Commenting on the overall aims and work of the AMA community, Nudrat Jahan Malik highlighted the group’s charitable initiatives and their presence in the community.

“The women’s auxiliary of AMA actively engages in charitable initiatives year-round, reflecting on the community’s motto of ‘Love for all, hatred for none’,” said Ms Malik.

“From volunteering to community integration efforts, such as distributing hampers to women’s shelter homes on Women’s Day and supporting the homeless, they are dedicated to nurturing compassion throughout the community.

“Aligned with the saying of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that ‘Love of one’s nation is part of faith’, AMA women proudly participate in events like the St Patrick’s Parade in Dublin and Galway.

“Looking ahead, the women of AMA are steadfast in their dedication to continuing the annual Ladies’ Bazaar.

“Through this event, we strive to promote love, compassion, and understanding among all individuals, contributing to a more harmonious and inclusive society.”