Around Friday prayers, a lot of money was raised for the earthquake victims in Morocco in the Arrahman mosque in Breda. The Marrakesh region was hit hard exactly a week ago. A lot of goods were collected last week, but now the focus in Breda is on money, explains mosque spokesman Mohammed Bouyaouzan. “You can use this to buy specific items that are difficult to collect.”
Bouyaouzan’s in-laws are from the affected area. “Fortunately we have no injuries or deaths, but everyone knows victims.” Considering the circumstances, his family is doing well. “They are shocked, but are now working hard to help their loved ones recover.”
“This contribution can make a difference.”
It is the first Friday afternoon prayer after the earthquake. “We call on people to donate, because their contribution can make a difference for many others.” Bouyaouzan emphasizes that this does not only apply to the affected region in Morocco now, but to every major disaster. “It doesn’t matter where or when.”
“This can happen anywhere and it is us brothers, sisters and parents who need a lot of help,” says a mosque goer just before Friday prayers. He is donating for the second time, even though he has no family living in the affected area. “But that’s not important, it’s about people and you have to help them.”
“There’s going to be an abundance of stuff now.”
Breda councilor Younes Nahnahi is also involved nationally in all kinds of aid and collection actions. “I think everyone is donating money here today,” he says. “A lot has already been arranged for the collection of relief supplies, but you now see that there is an abundance of items.”
According to the council member, raising money is now more convenient. “We also have to think about the long term. There is now a lot of attention for the disaster, but when it fades away, you will need money to arrange things.” Because not all goods can be collected, some things simply have to be bought, according to both Nahnahi and Bouyaouzan.
“The fuel for the transport of relief and construction goods is not free.”
“Some villages are very remote and you have to arrange transport to get relief and construction goods there. Even if people do so voluntarily, such a truck or van must have fuel,” the mosque spokesperson explains. “For example, people also need food, drinks and medicine that have to be bought. You can come with even more clothes, but it is difficult to build a house with that.”
A lot of money is donated by the Islamic community, especially online, says Bouyaouzan. “We also have QR codes everywhere so that it is easy. And it is also the most practical, because then all donations come in in one central place.” He doesn’t know the exact amounts yet, but he says the campaign is going well.
“The monetary donations not only help financially, but also emotionally.”
Younes Nahnahi’s father lives in Marrakesh. “They are unharmed, but the first hour after the earthquake was very tense because I had no contact. Then all kinds of scenarios go through your head.” The area they live in is a mess. “That has a huge impact on them, also because the consequences of such an earthquake will reverberate for a long time. The monetary donations not only help people directly, we also show solidarity and they feel that we have their backs.”
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