Recently, IQFA and Islamic Relief Ireland started working together on a project in the Nuseirat Camp in central Gaza with the Nour Al Marifa Association.
Projects currently supported by IQFA in Gaza
During the summer in conjunction with Islamic Relief Ireland, IQFA held street collections in Galway, Sligo, Cork, Limerick, and Dublin. These were very successful events in raising both funds and awareness. Information flyers about IQFA and Quakerism and the causes we support in Gaza were distributed, some of which is outlined below.
“IQFA is a committee appointed by Ireland Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Ireland, to further the concerns of Quakers whether at home or abroad. We support communities across Ireland, Europe, Africa, Central America, the Middle East, and Asia, affecting sustainable development and social justice. Most projects we fund are known personally to Irish Quakers or have a long-standing relationship with IQFA. We tend to help small developmental projects where we feel we can have an immediate and long-lasting effect. We also cooperate with other NGOs engaged in projects consistent with our ideals.
The Religious Society of Friends is a small Christian Community that emerged out of the civil and religious turmoil of the 17th century. We are a pacifist church, seeking to respect that of God in everyone, believing that the practice of war is inconsistent with the teachings of
Christ to love our neighbour, as well as our enemies. “We utterly deny all outward wars and strife and fighting with outward weapons, for any ends or any pretence whatsoever”. Perhaps in response to our pacifism,
we feel called to live simply, to assist those in need, especially in times of war, and to consider all humanity our brothers and sisters. Quakers accommodate a great diversity of belief; We meet for worship in silence, waiting on God to guide us in our individual lives and as a community. While words may divide us, the shared experience of silent worship and seeking to practice Jesus’ message of love and compassion unites us. For this reason, we are not bound by any creed. We do not have ordained clergy, believing that all are equal and that the Spirit of
God may choose anyone one of us, to leadership and ministry. We know ours is not the only spiritual path, but believe it is the right one for us.”
Recently, however, IQFA and Islamic Relief Ireland started working together on a project in the Nuseirat Camp in central Gaza.
Islamic Relief Ireland https://www.islamic-relief.ie is the Irish branch of the international aid and development Islamic Relief.
Islamic Relief are an independent non-governmental organisation (NGO) founded in the UK in 1984 by a group of concerned postgraduate students . As well as responding to disasters and emergencies, Islamic Relief promotes sustainable economic and social development by working with local communities – regardless of race, religion or gender.”Inspired by our Islamic faith and guided by our values, we envisage a caring world where communities are empowered, social obligations are fulfilled and people respond as one to the suffering of others“
Nour Al Marifa Association
Nour Al Marifa Association is funding a desalination plant to purify non-potable water for the refugee population in central Gaza. Access to fresh drinking water is crucial in Gaza to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. This project also seeks to supply water to schools and hospitals.
To date, one-third of the funds required for the project have been raised.
It is hoped that the remaining resources will be raised soon, as fresh drinkable water is very precious in Gaza.
The Palestine Trauma Centre
The Palestine Trauma Centre-UK is a not-for-profit licenced civil association, established in 2010 by Dr. Mohamed Altawil, with encouragement from UK and Irish Friends to help train psychosocial therapists to work with people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Gaza.
The Psychological and Sport Counselling Project aims to network with several civil social institutions to improve the lives of 180 traumatised and disabled youths and their families, by strengthening their resilience against the ongoing siege and conflict in the Middle Area of Gaza.