SPOT: Crawley Muslim Network Community Spirit

 SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we step back to Spotlight a Charity or in this case a Social Initiative making a positive difference in the local community.

We’re joined by Hamzah Khan, a Crawley local and the driving force behind Crawley Muslim Network, to unpack what real community support looks like when you prioritise dignity, access, and trust. Hamzah, shares the positive impact of how just one quiet food pack delivery can change how someone feels about asking for help and how a whole town thinks about its neighbours. 

We talk about food poverty in Crawley and why some people avoid a traditional food bank even when they desperately need support. Hamza explains how their Ramadan food parcels are booked privately and delivered straight to ANYONE who needs support - direct to their home, removing barriers like transport and embarrassment -- The results are staggering: a jump from just under 500 parcels last year to more than 1,400 food packs this year, delivered by a 30-person volunteer team. 

Clive & Hamzah also reflect on why serving the wider community matters, and how visible acts of Muslim charity and volunteering can counter stereotypes, reduce hostility, and strengthen community cohesion across Sussex & Surrey.

The conversation then turns to education and empathy through film, with details of a community screening of 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' an Oscar-nominated film built around a recorded emergency call from Gaza - special screening at Cineworld, Crawley on Saturday 9 May - The aim is learning not arguing, with profits going to charity and an open invitation to anyone who wants to understand more and explore perspectives.

*** For tickets, search: 
The Voice of Hind Rajab - Crawley
Or via: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/qalamgroup/2144049

If you value local action, honest conversation, and practical ways to bring people together, subscribe, share this with a friend in Crawley, and leave us a review with your thoughts.

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.

Transcript

Community Spotlight Introduction

SPEAKER_00 0:00

The statistics and sturry soapbox in the community, supporting local charities, social initiatives, and events that make a refreshing difference.

Meet Hamza And His Mission

SPEAKER_01 0:10

And we always like to spotlight someone that makes a big difference in the community. Introduce yourself.

SPEAKER_02 0:16

Hey, I'm Hamza, born and bred in Crawley, lived here my whole life, and work as an I think consultant in my for work life. And outside of that, I'd like to give back to the community.

SPEAKER_01 0:28

So And you've done amazing things with that, right? With the community. You started up the Crawley Muslim Network. From that, you've you've enabled lots of good in the community. Tell me about the food packages.

SPEAKER_02 0:40

Yeah, so uh we we want to serve the community and and kind of we we look at issues that are pertaining to local or ordinary people in Crawley, and during the month of Ramadan, we wanted to provide food packs to all those that were in need. So typically you would have a food bank um which would be available in town. We wanted to do something that was slightly different and cater for people that that might not be able to access your typical food bank or that might be too embarrassed to go to your food bank.

SPEAKER_01 1:07

So what we did was and and this is the thing, right? You know, there is a certain amount of shame, shyness about going to ask for food packages. So it's quite a nice idea to target people at home where people can quietly book one of these packages. And uh last year, you know, you did reasonably well, just under 500. This year, how many did you do? It's quite substantially more.

SPEAKER_02 1:30

Yeah, so this year we delivered what over 1,400 food packs to people's homes. Um, and we did this with a volunteer team of 30 people, extraordinary people. Um, and and these these packs are available for everyone, you know. So, whilst we are a Muslim organization, we want to serve the wider community. So anyone who needed food was able to get it.

SPEAKER_01 1:50

And I think this is an important aspect, right? Because um, as we see on socials, sometimes Muslims get a bad rep, they show up in the news for the wrong reasons, and what you're doing is to buck that trend and also show that you know Muslims are doing a lot of great in the community. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_02 2:08

Uh, I think more recently, unfortunately, we are seeing a spike in hate crimes towards Muslims, we're seeing an increase in uh Islamophobia, and whilst you know we can wait for the government to actually do something, us Muslims on the ground should be more proactive. We need to understand that this problem isn't going to be solved by uh the government, but it's gonna be solved within ourselves, within our community. So it's about engaging and we're with the wider communities and addressing all these smaller issues on the ground and showcasing that we are uh you know we're citizens that want to serve and and provide che the community.

Film Screening Details And How To Join

SPEAKER_01 2:39

And it's a bit like our very own Ichbel Khan, who uh does Tess's kitchen, he always says, be the change you want to see in the community, and and very much here. And it's not just hate crimes against Muslims, it's hate crime against anyone. There's a lot of division, there's a lot of hostility in in the community, and and that's going to be a topic in future weeks for the Sussex and Surrey soapbox as well. Now, this coming Saturday, uh 9th of May, there's a very special film, bit of an education, something you don't get on the news, you don't see in socials. Tell me a little bit about this film next Saturday.

SPEAKER_02 3:15

Yeah, the the the movie's called The Voice of Hin Rajab. It's based on a Palestinian girl in Gaza who was being shot at in a car whilst uh moving with her family. And um essentially, this this this little girl was able to get hold of the ambulance, and her conversation with the ambulance was recorded, and it's it's quite heart-wrenching, but it it the the exact conversation is gonna be featured on the film, and it's around how the ambulance services uh work together and try and rescue her in this situation. The main purpose of doing this is because as the wider uh population in the UK they see a lot of passionate for the Palestinian cause, but they don't actually understand why. And this will give them a glimpse of what is the grand reality in Gaza, what's uh happening, and why should we as British citizens care so much?

SPEAKER_01 4:12

And this isn't about pushing a political agenda or getting agreement, it's purely for educational purposes to go along, open your eyes, be curious, and understand life on the ground. And this film was up for an Oscar as well, wasn't it?

SPEAKER_02 4:26

Yes, it was nominated for an Oscar. Um, there it was screened across the world. The actor who was nominated may also be coming for a QA, so it would be really good to see his story as well. But yeah, there was there was people like Brad Pitt that kind of endorsed it as well, so it definitely like a really good watch. For those who don't know much about the Palestinian issues or for for those who even have negative views towards the the the cause, I really strongly encourage them to come and watch. This isn't just for the Muslim community, this is for the wider community.

SPEAKER_01 4:57

This is for everyone that wants to have their eyes open, and I'm looking forward to coming along as well. I'm gonna join, we're gonna do some interviews, some perceptions afterwards, and capture that as well. It is for adults largely, 15 and over. It's Saturday, 9th of May, so it's uh next Saturday. And how much is it?

SPEAKER_02 5:15

Yeah, it's gonna be£15, and the money, the profits made will be going towards charity.

SPEAKER_01 5:21

So if you're interested in this film, it's next Saturday, 9th of May. It's about 2 30 in the afternoon. It's at Cineworld, so it's uh the Crawley cinema starts at 2.30, tickets are£15, uh, and it's for£15 years old and above. Yes. It's gonna be very informative, very educational, looking forward to it. And if they want to get hold of tickets, we'll put a link in the story, but also they can Google they can check Crawley Muslim Network out on Instagram and there will be a link there. Thank you very much, and for all of the amazing work you do in the community. Cheers and thank you.

SPEAKER_00 5:53

Tell us what you think. Leave a comment below or click on send a text. Thank you for listening to the snowbox.