The story was reported by The Australia Today
The Dawoodi Bohra community across Australia teamed up with OzHarvest, the country’s leading food rescue organisation between August 30 to September 6, for a nationwide food drive aimed at tackling food hunger.
Coinciding with National Food Bank Day and commemorating the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed, the initiative mobilised community members and the wider public to donate non-perishable food, household goods, and hygiene items. Collection kiosks were set up at Dawoodi Bohra centres in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide.
Jason Clare, MP Blaxland, appreciated the community's efforts in a letter: "It was wonderful to learn that the Dawoodi Bohra Community joined forces with OzHarvest, an organisation that holds a special place for my family. Your partnership highlighted the strength of collaboration and a shared commitment to ensuring no family is left behind."
“The Dawoodi Bohra community has been a consistent supporter of our mission to nourish our country through rescuing food and feeding people in need,” said Julia Gove, National Partnership Manager from OzHarvest. “Their values of avoiding waste and sharing meals fit perfectly with our vision, making this partnership deeply impactful.”
She added, “We’re blown away with the generosity of the Dawoodi Bohras with a food drive record of more than 1.6 tons of food contributed by a community, at a time when things are tougher than ever. OzHarvest supports 1,550 charities across Australia with vital food relief which is often a lifeline for many people. Demand is at an all-time high, with charities seeing new people every day, many seeking help for the first time in their lives.”
“This drive was a meaningful way to honour the Prophet’s legacy of compassion by supporting Australians doing it tough,” said Zulfikar Adenwala, a volunteer from the Dawoodi Bohra community in Adelaide. “Our faith teaches us that true knowledge lies in serving humanity. Partnering with OzHarvest allowed us to live these values in action.”
The food drive was part of the Dawoodi Bohras’ global philanthropic initiative Project Rise, inspired by their leader His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. The success of the initiative underscored how grassroots action and collaboration can address urgent social challenges while strengthening the social fabric of the nation.
The Dawoodi Bohras are a peace-loving Muslim community with a history in Australia since the early 1980s. Today, around 600 families live in major cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, and Brisbane. Guided by the global initiative Project Rise, the community actively contributes to social and environmental causes across Australia and worldwide.
