Islamic Help honours memory of volunteer Junaid ‘Jedy’ Arif
Islamic Help has paid tribute to one of its volunteers, Muhammad Junaid Arif, who was killed in a motorway car crash. Junaid (left), who was known affectionately as Jedy, died when his car left the carriageway and plunged down an embankment on the M40 motorway in Warwickshire on 14 January.
A dedicated and inspirational volunteer devoted to helping others, he had set up a fundraising page following the death of his friend Nabeel Hussain with the intention of raising £1,500 for Islamic Help’s water projects around the world.
Junaid shattered that target and went on to raise £11,100. That ensured his legacy will be 6 water wells and 34 hand pumps to benefit up to 2,000 people in Bangladesh and Pakistan.
As part of our initial response, Islamic Help decided to donate a water hand pump in Bangladesh in honour of Junaid’s efforts to help others.
That hand pump has now been installed in the village of Kazirgaw, in Union Choddosoto in the district of Kishoreganj.
It will benefit nearly 50 people in the local community which is heavily reliant on agriculture but with many residents in poverty and having to rely on either polluted water or travel to other villages for clean and safe water.
The hand pump will not only allow villagers to access clean and safe water but to start small farming activities to boost their livelihoods. A village committee will maintain the hand pump and ensure it remains operational.
As well as the hand pump, Junaid was also remembered as part of our unique Umrah for Orphans programme.
Accompanied by Islamic Help staff and volunteers, more than 650 Palestinian orphans from Jordan went on Umrah thanks to our sponsors.
As part of this blessed journey, various staff members and orphans performed Umrah for Junaid, while others (left) made duas (prayers) and recited Surah Yaseen.
Islamic Help is planning further activities to honour the memory of Junaid. In the meantime, a JustGiving page has been set up and donations to it can be made via www.justgiving.com/InMemoryOfJunaidArif
