The Muslim Charitable Foundation (MCF) has delivered more than 33 tonnes of hay to drought-stricken farmers in western Queensland but says that it wants to raise more money in the coming weeks.
“It’s a big help, [and] it’s also boosted spirits,” Osman Rane, the vice-president of the organisation told SBS News.
“[But] it’s just a drop in the ocean really,” he said.
The MCF formed in 2009 among local business people to provide assistance and welfare to those in need.
It partnered with other Muslim groups for this cause, including the Islamic Council of Queensland, and Muslim Aid Australia, to raise enough money for 132 bales of hay, each weighing 250 kilograms.
Three semi-trailers have since made the delivery to farming representatives who would distribute the hay to the farmers.
“It’s not a lot but it’s going to help relieve a lot of those farmers for a short period of time,” Mr Rane said.
Donations were taken at Mosques around Brisbane and during Eid, which was celebrated last month to mark the end of Ramadan.
Mr Rane said that the community was ‘very receptive’ to the cause.
“Australian farmers are suffering because of this drought and as Muslims and Australians we decided to do something about the farmers, it affects everybody not just farmers themselves, but every Australian and every person in Australia.” In a video posted to the group’s Facebook page, Yusuf Khatree, a member of the MCF says the organisation is investigating other projects that will provide meaningful relief.