25th - HHUGS

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£3,395 raised of £30,000 target

Eid clothes, gifts and the joy of celebrating together –these are the things all children look forward to at the end of Ramadhan. But children of prisoners have no such hope. Theirs are households where food is scarce and new clothes are a luxury. This Eid, they’ll be looking on with sadness at peers enjoying new outfits and presents. But a small gift for Eid and a Ramadhan Gift Box can tell HHUGS children that they are also cherished. It can bring cheer and a spiritual boost to a family in a month that might otherwise feel lonelier than most. Brighten their faces in this life, He will illuminate yours in the next.

“On Eid they sent us a box of gifts which had little presents and Surayah was so happy, I cannot express what her happiness did for me. She was asking, ‘Who is HHUGS?’ and I said, ‘they are our helpers in Islam.’”

‘Whosoever gave gifts for the sake of Allah… has completed his faith.’

(Al-Hakim)

Following the arrest of their husbands, the wives of prisoners become single mothers overnight. With bank accounts frozen and benefits withheld or delayed, often they even struggle to feed their children. Now, with the pandemic lockdowns that have cost thousands their livelihoods and put a strain on us all, HHUGS families are struggling more than ever. They won’t be looking forward to iftar the same way we will, this Ramadhan. But the gift of food vouchers can change that, providing families with good food to break their fasts with throughout the month. Feed the Hungry, for His Sake; He will feed you from the fruits of Paradise.

“I couldn’t apply for any benefits because I wasn’t a UK national. It wasn’t legal for me to work. I had no income. I was very depressed. HHUGS paid for my bills, my rent, my food. I think if HHUGS were not there I wouldn’t be alive right now.”

“Then Allah will say, ‘Son of Adam, I needed food but you did not feed Me.’ ‘My Lord, how could I feed You when You are the Lord of the Worlds?’ ‘Did you not know that one of My servants was hungry but you did not feed him? If you had fed him you would have found its reward with Me.’”

(Al-Bukhari)

The trauma of witnessing a raid, followed by the struggle to survive through poverty and isolation, damages the emotional wellbeing of a prisoner’s family. Children, bullied at school, often bear the shame of psychological responses like bedwetting, while their mothers suffer from anxiety under the burden of caring for a family alone. As for a prisoner’s elderly parent, fear and isolation cause depression that can snowball in severity. With the lockdown causing stress levels to soar nationwide, the pandemic has further exacerbated poor mental health in HHUGS households. This Ramadhan and Eid, they will have little joy. But with the right support, their emotional healing can start today.

"The therapy and the counselling has provided me a safe space to speak to someone, without fear of any judgement, knowing that it’s safe, secure and private. That is the most fulfilling and most comforting thing to have – to know that whatever you feel and you’re struggling with, that there’s someone you can offload to who is a professional, that understands how the mind works. It has changed my life so much and I am grateful that I have that. Alhamdulillah for HHUGS providing me with that safety net.”

“Allah will say on the Day of Judgment, ‘Son of Adam, I was sick but you did not visit Me.’ ‘My Lord, how could I visit You when You are the Lord of the Worlds?’ ‘Did you not know that one of My servants was sick and you didn’t visit him? If you had visited him, you would have found Me there.’”

(Al-Bukhari)

Following an arrest, many families of prisoners have their assets confiscated. Without the means to pay the rent, they face eviction and constant harassment from bailiffs. Often they haven’t even the means to fix a front door smashed in a raid. Exposed to the elements, they are forced to live without basic security in their own homes. And with thousands in the UK falling into rent arrears due to furloughs and redundancies, homelessness is a terrifying reality many HHUGS families now face. This Ramadhan, they won’t be waiting in anticipation for sunset, as we will. But with a little help, you can give them the shelter of a safe home. Shelter them in this life, He will shelter you in His Shade in the next.

“They used to knock really hard. Sometimes I would feel that the door was going to break. Sometimes people would scream from the letter box, ‘open the door!’ […] I used to shake out of fear. I would continue shaking until they left. For a long period of time, I was very nervous. All my finances were cut. I didn’t have money for food. My health began to deteriorate.”

“Allah (swt) says on the Day of Judgment: ‘Where are those who loved one another for My Glory? Today, I will shade them in My Son the Day when there is no shade but Mine.’”

(Muslim)

On top of the trauma they have endured, children of prisoners are often made to feel guilty by association. Bullied and ostracised, they succumb to mental-health problems and often even turn to truancy and delinquent behaviour, in the absence of social support and role models who cherish them. This Ramadhan and Eid, not having their father around will leave them feeling more abandoned than ever, particularly in a time of increased isolation. But academic support and recreational activities, as well as needs-based psychotherapy and mentorship, can help HHUGS children tackle their inner turmoil and find comfort in the attention and affection they yearn for.

“Yusuf used to stay in his room alone all day, but HHUGS, they paid attention to him, taking him on Islamic conferences and retreats. […] His approach to things became different, he would know right from wrong and he became a positive healthy young man. He changed his attitude towards me from hostility to kindness and he began helping me look after our family. […] I couldn’t have imagined that they would have such an impact on him. I believe I would never have been able to help Yusuf in the same way.”

‘Would you like that your heart becomes soft and that you acquire what you need? Be merciful with the orphan, pat his head and feed him from what you eat.’

(at-Tabarani)

Hindered by financial hardship and social isolation, the wives of prisoners struggle to provide for their children. Many face the additional challenge of language constraints as well as a lack of basic skills and work experience. Without community support for childcare and funding for education, they’re unable to improve their situation; while their association with a terror suspect further reduces their chances of employment. With the pandemic having cost thousands their livelihoods, this is a time of even greater hardship for single mothers who already have the odds stacked against them. But a generous investment, this Ramadhan, can change that, giving such a mother the skills she needs to gain financial independence.

"I have a few modules left of my course funded by HHUGS. When I finish I hope to apply to become a Teaching Assistant level 3 in school. I didn't have experience in the school so this has given me a lot of knowledge; It looks very good on my CV and will help me get a job. We are the only ones responsible for our families. […] Our days are consumed with our families and dealing with the prison, the case. You don't get time or have the money for studying. So such courses help us to become independent. Without HHUGS, this would not have been possible."

"The one who looks after and works for a widow and for a poor person, is like a warrior fighting for Allah's Cause or like a person who fasts during the day and prays all the night."

(Al-Hakim)

Following the arrest of their husbands, wives of prisoners are left to pick up the pieces on their own. With assets confiscated and benefits frozen, they quickly accumulate rent arrears and unpaid bills. In some cases, they inherit the debts of their husbands, which were previously unknown to them. With limited financial resources, these become near impossible for them to pay off. At a time when thousands of UK families are suffering from mounting debts brought on by furloughs and redundancies, the wives of prisoners are utterly helpless. But a generous donation can help clear her debts and heave a breath of relief this Ramadhan.

“I’ve been borrowing money the past week and a half. Wallahi, I don’t know what we’re going to do over the weekend. I’m just really dreading when the agent finds out the rent is overdue.”

"Whoever alleviates [the situation of] one in dire straits who cannot repay his debt, Allah will alleviate his lot in both this world and the Hereafter."

(Muslim)