International charity supports local communities by completing a global pilgrimage in midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maktab Tarighat Oveyssi Shahmaghsoudi Inc. (MTO) School of Islamic Sufism celebrated the beginning of Eid al Adha - one of the holiest days on the Islamic calendar - by giving back to local communities.
MTO delivered 1400 bags of food and toiletries to various community organisations across the Western Sydney Region including Hawkesbury Helping Hands.
"It was fantastic," said MTO's Pegah Hadisadeq. "I believe Hawkesbury Helping Hands are planning on donating the packages to international students who have been hit hard during the coronavirus pandemic.
"It was great to be able to pass on the packages and our gratitude to the community.
"Hawkesbury received 30 bags ... there were quite a few stops throughout the day."
Eid al Adha marks the beginning of the pilgrimage to Mecca, but due to COVID-19 and the inability to physically carry out the pilgrimage as they usually do, MTO is completing a global pilgrimage.
"A part of Eid al Adha is to make sure everyone in your community is okay," said Ms Hadisadeq.
"To ensure your family, your friends and everyone around you has everything that they need.
"We are a global organisation doing this all over the world and are looking at this as a global pilgrimage, giving back to the community."
MTO have been using significant dates on the Islamic calendar to organise these events to give back to the community.
On May 25, earlier this year, MTO held a similar global event, giving back to the community for Eid Fitr - the end of Ramadan.
Finn Coleman
Having grown-up in the Hawkesbury, I understand the importance of the Hawkesbury Gazette in highlighting stories that members of the local community care about - including events, businesses, sports and the people that make our town unique.
Having grown-up in the Hawkesbury, I understand the importance of the Hawkesbury Gazette in highlighting stories that members of the local community care about - including events, businesses, sports and the people that make our town unique.
