Making a splash for sadaqa

Saturday 22 June saw close to 40 hardy individuals from the Sydney Muslim community participate in the inaugural Charity Winter Splash at an icy cold Sydney beach, organised by prominent charity House Of Sadaqa.

The event, which was sponsored by Marvel Skip Bins and MCCA, was staged at Mahon Pool at Maroubra Beach and saw those who volunteered to ‘take the plunge’ (literally) dive into icy cold waters, thus making a splash for those in need.

The majority of brave Muslim brothers who took part are familiar faces in the community, well known for their roles with various businesses, charities, organisations or initiatives.

From left: Osman Karolia, Ahmed Kilani, Moodi Dennaoui, Abu Salim Allouche and Ahmad Sakar.

“We wanted to do something unique and challenging to draw attention to the struggles faced by those less fortunate,” said Rob (Bilal) Laidlaw, founder of House Of Sadaqa.

“Our community’s willingness to jump into freezing, cold water symbolises the lengths we are prepared to go to help others.”

When you peruse the list below, you will recognise some very well-known names – men who gave their valuable time to get out of bed in the wee small hours of a Saturday morning in single-digit temperatures, drive across Sydney to dive into freezing, cold water (in the pouring rain, for good measure) for a very worthy cause.

Those who volunteered to ‘take the plunge’ included: Omar Dalati; Sheikh Tarek El-Bikai, Abdul-Raouf Baghdadi, Moustafa Moghrabi, Ahmed Kilani, Tarek Sari, Oz Said, Moodi Dennaoui, Bachir Zreika, Matthew Richards, Umair Shakoor, Walid Jamal-Eddine, Abu Salim Allouche, Bilal El-Hayek, Faisal Alamgir, Uzair Hussain, Mohammad Kandil, Ali Mohsen, Mohamed Badra, Andy Nelgabaz, Osman Karolia, Bilal Fazli, Sheikh Jamal Ud-Din El-Kiki, Aquib Mehdad, Wissam Bardouh, Hussein Hamad, Mehmet Saral, Bilal (Rob) Laidlaw, Usaamah El-Kiki, Salim Allouche, Osama Afyouni, Saifeldeen Hadid, Ahmad Hraichie, Sheikh Hassan Elsetohy, Abdulla Omar, Ayman Laidlaw, Waleed Zaman, Nouh Laidlaw and Jihad Shalak.

“It’s incredible to see the community come together for such an important cause,” Mr Laidlaw added.

“We did it!” Sheikh Tarek El-Bikai raises his arms in triumph. The popular imam secured the second highest amount of funds out of all the volunteers, with only Omar Dalati (left) ahead of him.

“The money raised will go a long way in providing essential support to local families in need, helping to alleviate some of the pressures they face daily.”

As previously referenced, Rob (Bilal) Laidlaw founded House Of Sadaqa (in 2010) and this not-for-profit organisation continues to make a significant impact by addressing social disadvantage, family breakdown, domestic abuse, financial hardship, homelessness and isolation.

While the donations from the Charity Winter Splash are continuing to roll in, the progressive total raised is already over $57,000 which will be used by House Of Sadaqa to:

Provide essential furniture and household items to families in need through the organisation’s Home Essentials Program;
Offer family support services to those experiencing domestic violence and homelessness;
Support Gazan families with practical aid and community integration support; and
Enhance the organisation’s Goodwill services to better serve the community.

“Our mission is to support and uplift the community by tackling these critical issues,” Mr Laidlaw continued.

“Events like the Charity Winter Splash not only raise funds but also raise awareness and foster a spirit of solidarity and compassion.”

House Of Sadaqa’s Operations Manager Mohammed Kandil told AMUST: “We are also excited to announce our upcoming Women’s Winter Walkathon in late July, where we are asking sisters to join us in walking 16 kilometres over two days to support families in need.”

“Further information for potential participants and donors can be found on our website – houseofsadaqa.org.au”