The novel coronavirus pandemic is an issue that requires collective response at every level of the society. Raising awareness about the disease, offering protective items, staying at home, reaching out to people in need and offering financial co-operation are some of the steps that need to be carried out collectively.
Since there are diverse expatriate communities in Qatar, the community welfare and support programmes are run by different people in co-ordination with their embassies and the relevant Qatari authorities. The Sri Lankan community is no exception when it comes to dedicated response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hazim Hamza is the general secretary of Sri Lankan Community Benevolent Fund and head of community development unit of Sri Lankan Islamic Center Qatar. Since his arrival in Qatar in 2005, he has been very active in community welfare and charity activities in association with the Sri Lankan embassy. “I have actively been working through several Sri Lankan associations affiliated to the embassy. I was a past president for Sri Lankan Majlis Qatar and presently an advisory committee member. Besides being immediate past president of Federation of Sri Lankan Muslim Associations Qatar, I was founder president of Sri Lankan Muslim Professional’s Forum Qatar.”
Hazim has been involved in different community related activities to serve his fellow Sri Lankans. “I have been busy in organising monthly lectures for families, sports events and gatherings, educational activities and professional guidance. I was also engaged in organising Islamic lectures by visiting scholars from Sri Lanka and other countries with the affiliation to Abdulla Bin Zaid Centre (FANAR). We organised regular professional development and career guidance workshops targeting potential Sri Lankans who are looking for developing their careers or changing jobs. Another major role was assisting the community during the times of emergencies and disasters with the assistance of the embassy and the community organisations. I am also serving in the board of directors of the Stafford Sri Lankan School, the only Sri Lankan community school in Qatar.”
The community worker is confined to his home with family and experiencing Ramadan in a unique way like many other people. “Since the coronavirus pandemic started, we have been confined to home with maximum precautions taken. Working from home and the children are occupied with continuous lessons from the school.
“It being month of Ramadan, we are having real family time and having our collective prayers at home. It’s a tough time compared to earlier Ramadan where as a family we get to attend prayers in Masjid and listen to recitation of Qur’an. However, it’s a different experience this time to be at home. This situation has benefited in another way for children as it gives flexibility in their studies though they too feel the pain and difficulties of the unending pandemic.
“We salute all the front-line workers for their sacrifices to treat the patients with risks for them and their families. We thank the Government of Qatar for taking all the required measures to safeguard all the citizens and residents.”
The stay-at-home norm and Ramadan has not barred the community leader from volunteering to help others. “First of all I would like to appreciate the initiatives taken by the Embassy of Sri Lanka to support the needy. In addition, we the community organisations, joined Qatar Charity in providing volunteers to reach out to various camps with sanitising and food packages they provided. We also arranged volunteers to help them distribute Iftar packs to labour camp in various locations.
“Many have lost jobs in several fields due to the current pandemic. Worst affected were daily wage earners like limousine drivers. We reached out to needy community members in providing dry rations and food packs sponsored by Qatar Red Crescent and voluntary contribution by the community. We are co-ordinating with the Government of Qatar and volunteer organisations in arranging continuous supply of essential food for needy community members.
“On top of this, we supported Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Public Health in getting their awareness campaigns translated in the Sinhala and Tamil languages and disseminating among the community through social media platforms.”
COLLECTIVE EFFORT: Sri Lankan community members with the Qatar Red Crescent official.
