British Asians are kind to one another
Members of the British Asian community embrace the season of goodwill by donating colouring books to children and essential supplies to those in need.
Months after devastating floods in Pakistan, millions remain homeless, roads are destroyed, and tens to thousands of schools, hospitals, and other facilities are left in ruin.
Afghanistan is vulnerable because of the harsh winters and snowfall, as well as limited resources after the Taliban takeover of 2021.
BBC Newsbeat was able to hear three stories of generosity this holiday season.
Coloring for children
Avi Jandu donated colouring books for children in Birmingham’s Children’s Hospital.
The 29 year-old spent the last few months developing colouring books with sports themes for donation to the wards.
“The idea arose from last Christmas. My brother and me donated toys to my mom’s school. I was inspired by that experience and thought, “How can I be creative and personal ?’.”?”
The books feature images of Harry Kane as well as Cristiano Ronaldo, World Cup winner Lionel Messi and are available with colouring pencils.
Avi says, “Hopefully it’s something people can think about other than the things they’re going through.”
“The aim of this book is hopefully to inspire a future artist who’s passionate about arts & crafts.
Alongside his charity project, he has also raised over £1,500 to invest in equipment and facilities in the hospital.
“It is very humble but more important that we support a local cause.”
Afghan Sweaters
Mahvish Rukhsana, a lawyer who traveled to Afghanistan in the aftermath of the Taliban’s arrival last year, is here.
“Everybody I talked to hadn’t received payment in months. “There were many street children who beg on the streets,”
“It only created this sense of obligation to assist in some way.”
Mahvish, a resident of Ascot, describes “an entire family living here in this small, drafty, uninsulated space with no electricity or running waters.”
They don’t have the money or heat to buy wood.
Afghanistan’s winters are intense with temperatures below freezing and heavy snow.
She says so far £5,000 has been raised through a crowdfunder, with the initial plan to do a sweater and warm clothes collection.
“It raises awareness. Mahvish says that it allows people to become involved at a lower level but it can grow from there.”
“Children over There deserve so much more after decades and even centuries of war and now the humanitarian and economic crisis.”
Pakistani comedy and panto
Over 1,700 people died in Pakistan’s floods, and 2 million homes were damaged or destroyed.
Survivors live in perpetual uncertainty and despair.
The UK stage provides a platform for people to raise funds for flood victims.
Cinder’aliyah is back on tour in the UK. This reworking of Cinderella’s fairy tale Cinderella was billed as the first ever Muslim panto.
Abdullah Afzal, writer/director, said that “they trust us that we will give them something which is both British culture and something that has to do with their Muslim faith.”
“The fact the scenes are from diverse people onstage and it’s something we never had growing up… It’s very uplifting for our community.
Human Appeal also organizes the annual Muslim Comedy Takeover, which features some of the most prominent names in the Muslim comedy scene like Ali Official and Imran Yusuf.
Ali Official said, “You’re coming on, and you’re about to hear stories, anecdotes, of what it feels like to have a Muslim, or what it is like to have an Asian.”
The tour will help raise funds for Human Appeal’s flood relief program, which rebuilds homes in Pakistan for people affected by the devastating floods of this year.
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