30 April 2020 – The East London Mosque, with the generous support of the Muslim community, raised funds to create a temporary mortuary in Tower Hamlets. This is to meet the sadly increasing demands for the burial of the deceased in the Muslim community, particularly in Tower Hamlets, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alhamdulillah, the mortuary is now open and in operation, and has already facilitated the funeral and burial of COVID-19 cases.

This facility will be operated by Haji Taslim Funerals, who are now able to handle COVID-19 burials. It is also accessible to other Muslim funeral services, with the assistance and support of our newly trained volunteers. For all inquiries relating to funeral/burials, please contact Haji Taslim Funerals or the other funeral services.

May Allah bless all those brother and sisters who responded so generously to the emergency appeal, making it possible to maintain the dignity of Islamic burials for our dearly departed.

Update (5 May 2020): see press reports in The Guardian and Eastern Eye.

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This is just one of the many vital services we’re trying to keep going during this difficult time. Our advice and counselling sessions are still available by phone, and we have been making regular food bank and medicine deliveries from the start of the lockdown.

In this blessed month of Ramadan, we’re already delivering hundreds of Iftar meals to the elderly, vulnerable, and to NHS staff who are on duty in the late evening. Please help us to feed as many people possible.

For every person you provide Iftar, insha’Allah you will receive the reward for their fasting. Imagine the reward in Ramadan for providing Iftar for a needy family for the whole month!

If you are a UK taxpayer, please don't forget to choose the Gift Aid option when you make your donation. We will use any Gift Aid collected, and any surplus from the appeal, as general sadaqah (charity).