Volunteers with the Darul Islam Relief Fund (DARF) along with representatives of different relief organisations arrived in Istanbul in Turkey on Friday as part of a humanitarian project to deliver aid to Syrian refugees in need.  Humanitarian relief workers from around the globe are working under the helm of the Turkish humanitarian organisation IHH. DARF’s aid will be in the form of 250 grocery parcels for 250 families.

DARF head Sheikh Irfaan Abrahams will be representing all those who have assisted in Cape Town including schools and small organisations. He said the group of 18, including Sheikh Ebrahim Gabriels, will stand as a united body “ready to do whatever is needed” to assist Syrians.

“We are really encouraging one another. The mind is set, the heart is set and the spirit is ready. We are now waiting for the convoy before we depart for the camps,” Abrahams told VOC News from Istanbul.

He extended gratitude to Rylands high school for their full commitment in the initiative. Some schools and organisations could not be reached due to time constraints but the representatives will be giving it on behalf of all the schools.

Representatives are from all over South Africa including the Eastern Cape, KZN and Gauteng, but will be representing South Africa as one body.

“We travelled together and we all understand in our mission as South Africans ready to serve the people,” says Abrahams.

Briefings and meetings will be held on Friday regarding donors, however on Saturday 36 representatives will gather together for a conference regarding the containers and the people who will be assisted in and on the border of Syria.

On Sunday, they anticipate to go from the borders of Turkey into Syria with containers carrying the South African name and the organisations’ name.

“We have all that we need. Our mission is to get as many containers of food from Turkey into Syria,” says Abrahams.

 “We hope once inside we can connect with radio stations and keep them up to date about the situation and what the situations are.”

If you would like to make a donation, deliver it to DARF based at the Darul Islam masjid in Surrey Estate.

“When we give to others, Allah (swt) will give to us and protect us. Allah will always be in assistance of his slave as long as his slave is in assistance with his fellow brother,” says Abrahams. VOC (Nailah Cornelissen)