Deputy Major supports first Macmillan Coffee Morning at the Al Manaar Mosque

Press Release

For immediate release: 2 October 2018

Contact: Heather Churchouse 0207 840 4979 / 07860956837

Deputy Major supports first Macmillan Coffee Morning at the Al Manaar Mosque in North Kensington

From left: Mohammed, Ayesha and Mr Iqbal Khan, Cllr. Mohammed Bakhtiar, MCHC Centre Manager and Chief Exec, Zahira Ghaswala and Abdurahman Sayed

Deputy Major, Cllr Mohammed Bakhtiar, was one of hundreds of guests attending Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee morning at the Al Manaar Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre on Friday (28^th September) as Muslims across London commit to raise funds for the charity that supports people living with cancer.

This is the first fundraising initiative of its kind within London’s Muslim Community in support of a wholly UK based charity and is initiated by and dedicated to the memory of Cambridge graduate Baraka Khan who died from lung cancer in 2016.

Cllr Bakhtiar was welcomed to the centre by Abdurahman Sayed, Chief Executive of the Centre and Zahira Ghaswala, the centre manager who helped organise the event and the supply of cakes! They were joined by Baraka’s father, Mr Iqbal Khan, her brother and sister Mohammed and Ayesha Khan.

Mr Iqbal Khan, Baraka’s father, spoke about the inspiration for the initiative:

“We launched the Baraka Khan Foundation to continue Baraka’s legacy of love, compassion, and public service. I am therefore very pleased to attend this coffee morning at Al Manaar to talk about this exciting partnership between Macmillan and the Baraka Khan Foundation.

“Baraka raised over a million pounds during her lifetime for charitable causes close to her heart. I know Baraka was particularly fond of Macmillan – a remarkable institution which gave her great hope and strength during her illness.”

Other London Mosques participating in this initiative include:

• The East London Mosque
• Finsbury Park Mosque
• Wembley Mosque
• Old Kent Road Mosque
• Ramadan Tent Project

Lynda Thomas, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support said:

“Macmillan is delighted to be working with the Baraka Khan Foundation and mosques across London to reach out to the Muslim community.”

Mr Abdurahman Sayed, Al Manaar’s Chief Executive said:

“The Al Manaar is happy to lend its support to this amazing initiative by holding a coffee morning to encourage Muslims to raise funds for the charity and build awareness in our community of the information and support available from Macmillan Cancer Support.”

Cllr Mohammed Bakhtiar added:

“I am honoured to be invited to this event and look forward to help raise further awareness of Macmillan and the support available for all people living with cancer across the borough.”

If you have a question about cancer and live in the North Kensington area, you can visit our Macmillan Information and Support Centre at Hammersmith Hospital – no appointment necessary. Or call: 020 3313 4248.

If you have any questions about cancer, visit www.macmillan.org.uk or call Macmillan free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm)

-Ends-

For further information, please contact:

Heather Churchouse, Communications Officer – London, Macmillan Cancer Support 0207 8404979 (out of hours 07801 307068) / [email protected]

Or

Juber Hussain – The Baraka Khan Foundation 07511 955 027

[email protected]

Notes to Editors

Photos Credit: Macmillan / Chris Lobina

About Macmillan Cancer Support

Being told ‘you have cancer’ can affect so much more than your health – it can affect your family, your job, even your ability to pay the bills.

But life with cancer is still life. We get that. And, after over 100 years of helping so many people, we get what’s most important: that we treat everyone as a person, not just a patient.

With your help, we can do more for people living with cancer, giving each person the support they need to look after all that matters and take care of their health, protect personal relationships and deal with work and money worries.

We want to help everyone with cancer find their best way through, from the moment of diagnosis, so they’re able to live life as fully as they can. You can be someone who makes that happen. To give, fundraise or volunteer call 0300 1000 200 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk

If you have questions about cancer, visit www.macmillan.org.uk or call Macmillan free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm). You can find out about Macmillan services near you at http://www.macmillan.org.uk/in-your-area/choose-location.html

About The Baraka Khan Foundation

The Baraka Khan Foundation was established to continue the legacy of Baraka Khan, who throughout her life strove to create fairer, forward thinking and more inclusive communities.

Diagnosed with incurable lung cancer shortly after her graduation from Cambridge University, her compassion for others, her unwavering faith and her unshakeable belief in the kindness of others has inspired people from all backgrounds to continue her work.

Throughout her cancer journey, Baraka developed a compassionate, heartfelt connection

with Macmillan Cancer Support, and became a powerful advocate for the support they

provide to those who are living with cancer.

The Foundation is proud to continue Baraka’s legacy through the Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning campaign 2018.

To find out more about The Baraka Khan Foundation please visit: www.barakakhan.com