71%

£71,091

Raised of £100,000 target

“Has Allah
commanded you
to leave us here?”

These were the words of a mother abandoned, and Prophet Ibrahim said only, ‘yes.’ With her baby’s life in the balance, Hajar gazed onto a wilderness, harsh and barren as far as the eye could see, and said:

“Then certainly Allah is sufficient for us. He will not abandon us.”

The solitary struggle of Hajar is divinely honoured as a ritual of the Hajj pilgrimage, practiced now for centuries. Her unwavering faith and patience were rewarded with the pure spring of Zamzam, which continues to quench the thirst of millions today. Every Dhul Hijjah, we honour our mother Hajar and celebrate her strength. But what of the Hajars in our midst today, who are breaking under the weight of similar burdens?


HHUGS supports single mothers impacted by counter-terror measures and detention. With their husbands in prison, these women face social isolation and financial hardships, as they struggle desperately to provide for their children. With no one to rely on but Allah, they are the Hajars living in our midst, unknown, unnoticed and often shunned.


These women, turned into single mothers overnight, bear immense financial and psychological strain, in the absence of a husband, father and often the community too. With inflation at a 30-year high, almost half the Muslim population in the UK is now entrapped in a cycle of poverty, compared to 18% of the general population with 65% now falling into debt to get by. Surging prices and rising taxes have hit the poorest households in our community hardest. Our sisters, who were already under financial strain, now face even greater pressure than before.

This Dhul Hijjah, your Qurbani and Sadaqah need not travel far to lift a mother and her children out of distress.


Heal a HHUGS family during the best 10 days of the year. Honour Hajar (ra) by supporting our sisters who walk in her footsteps.


'There are no deeds as excellent as those done in these ten days... except a man who goes forth endangering his life and wealth and does not return with anything.’
(Bukhari)

Don’t simply donate: AutoNate your sadaqah in the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah!


Sign up for automated giving with HHUGS in the best 10 days of the year – better even than the last 10 days of Ramadhan!

Whether you can commit to £10 a day, so that a mother can gift her children on Eid, or £50 a day to shelter a family for the month – your gifts over the course of these 10 days will mean hope and healing for a broken family.


Click Here

to Autonate your giving

Sacrifice

Gift her your Qurbani meat


When their husbands are imprisoned, these single mothers are left to pick up the pieces of a life devastated overnight. With bank accounts frozen and benefits withheld or delayed, often they are unable to even feed their children.


With inflation at a 30-year high, almost half the Muslim population in the UK is now entrapped in a cycle of poverty, compared to 18% of the general population with 65% now falling into debt to get by.


This is even more of a reason to revive the Sunnah of giving your Qurbani close to home.


“We are a large family of seven and very rarely eat meat, as it is very expensive and unaffordable for us. So to be able to enjoy some lamb on Eid was a rare pleasure for the entire family. May Allah bless all those that contributed to make that happen and grant them al-firdaws.”

Quantity

Feed her family

for a month


When their husbands are imprisoned, these single mothers are left to pick up the pieces of a life devastated overnight. With bank accounts frozen and benefits withheld or delayed, often they are unable to even feed their children.


With inflation at a 30-year high, an estimated 1.5 million UK households will struggle to pay the rising costs of food, fuel and energy bills this year.


“More than 2 million adults in the UK have gone without food for a whole day over the past month because they cannot afford to eat, according to a survey revealing the “catastrophic” impact of the cost of living crisis.”


Our food vouchers also enable families to purchase staple essentials. This will ensure little ones are well-fed and nourished, despite the uncertain times.


“They took all the money I had saved, not even leaving behind enough to buy bread...we had no clothes with us apart from what we were wearing. Whatever I could sell, I sold to be able to eat, to be able to live my life.”

£

Gift her

children the joy of Eid


New clothes, gifts and the joy of celebrating together –these are the things all children look forward to on Eid. The current cost of living crisis already means families will be feeling the pinch of greater financial burdens. The children of prisoners are at higher risk of being left forgotten. In households, where food is scarce, mothers struggle to provide warm clothes for their children in winter, let alone new ones for Eid.


“The children began to feel special after receiving Eid gifts from HHUGS and they also arranged Eid parties we could attend. We finally started to feel more normal, like there were some people who weren’t afraid to associate with us. HHUGS saw us as human beings, not as criminals and terrorists. They treated us as part of the Ummah.”

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Unite her

children with their father this Eid


In times of togetherness like Eid, the wives and children of prisoners should not have to suffer the pain of separation. Many single mothers, already struggling financially, cannot afford the high cost of travelling to a prison in a remote location. The average UK prison visit is a 120 mile round-trip. In many cases, the added impediment of mobility constraints, make these visits impossible for elderly parents to undertake alone.


“May Allah reward everyone at HHUGS for arranging transport for the prison visit. Alhamdulillah, if it was not for HHUGS and the volunteers who drive us, I wouldn't be able to do this, especially with a new born baby. […] My husband was so excited about seeing our son, it was the first time he’d seen him since he's been born.

£

Clothe her child

Gift a uniform. Prepare her children for the academic year


In broken homes, where the hard choice between food on the table or heating in the winter is a daily reality, the prospect of buying school uniforms is a daunting one. With the average cost of uniforms ranging from £315 to £337 for state run schools, many single mothers struggle when their children outgrow their uniform, shoes and need new stationery and equipment.


Schools are witnessing first-hand the cost-of-living crisis. Rising inflation and soaring energy costs are hitting families hard. Far too many children in the UK are growing up without the basics they need. Children in 50% of Muslim households are growing up in poverty.


“Alhamdulillah for the gift card! I was able to buy my daughter’s schoolbag, trainers, shirts, shoes and other stuff such as pencil case and stationery. My family's quality of life is much better since HHUGS has been supporting us. The worries and stress have lifted off my head since all the wonderful things HHUGS have been providing us with. May Allah bless them. Ameen.”

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Heal her

Provide professional counselling to help her and her children heal


Wives of prisoners are more than twice as likely to suffer mental health problems due to loneliness, trauma and the added pressures of being single mothers. They watch helplessly as their children struggle with their own traumas, caused by bullying and separation anxiety. Research shows families of prisoners are more than twice as likely to suffer mental health problems. Professional support services are essential in helping individuals to access the tools they need to process, understand and attempt to heal from these life-altering trials, for both former prisoners and their families.


“I began living in fear. I started feeling that I’m not a complete human being, the pressure on me was very intense, all of my hair fell out.”

£

Shelter her family

Cover the cost of her monthly rent, basic utilities and essential repairs


With the primary breadwinner in detention, many families of prisoners cannot pay the rent and so face eviction. Often they haven’t the means even to repair a front door smashed in a raid, and are left vulnerable without the most basic security. Unable to pay utility bills, they are forced to go without heating and electricity, leaving them exposed to the elements in their own homes.


The current cost of living crisis, with surging energy prices, has left families struggling to keep up with their rent and basic utilities, leaving many vulnerable to losing their family home. Rents in the UK are growing at the fastest rate for 14 years, with rent £88 a month higher on average across the UK than it was at the start of the pandemic.


“I had no income, it wasn’t legal for me to work… I was very depressed. But then HHUGS paid for my bills and my rent. I think if HHUGS were not there I wouldn’t be alive right now.”

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Nurture her vulnerable child

Provide a source of hope and positivity for a child in despair


In addition to the trauma they are forced to live with, children of prisoners are also bullied and ostracised. Such vulnerable youth often succumb to mental-health problems and even turn to truancy or self-harm in the absence of social support and role models who cherish them. With two out of three boys with a convicted parent becoming offenders themselves, children of prisoners are more than three times as likely to commit anti-social or delinquent behaviour. This Eid, the absence of their father will leave them feeling more abandoned than ever, particularly in a time of increased isolation. But academic support and recreational activities, as well as needs-based psychotherapy, can help HHUGS children tackle their inner turmoil and find comfort in the attention and affection they yearn for. A dedicated and sensitive mentor will also mean a child is supported through the years of their father’s absence and shown productive and fruitful paths ahead.


“Yusuf used to stay in his room alone all day, but HHUGS, they paid attention to him, taking him on Islamic conferences and retreats. […] His approach to things became different, he would know right from wrong and he became a positive healthy young man. He changed his attitude towards me from hostility to kindness and he began helping me look after our family. […] I couldn’t have imagined that they would have such an impact on him. I believe I would never have been able to help Yusuf in the same way.”

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Empower her

Gift independence through education, driving lessons and vocational training


Through financial hardship and ongoing social isolation, the wives of prisoners struggle to provide and care for their children. Many face the additional challenge of language constraints as well as a lack of basic skills and work experience. Without community support for childcare and funding for education, they’re unable to improve their situation. Their association with a terror suspect also reduces their chances of employment.


“When I finish my course I hope to apply to become a Teaching Assistant level 3 in school. It looks very good on my CV and will help me get a job. Often sisters in my situation don't have any qualifications. Our days are consumed with our families and dealing with the prison, the case. Without HHUGS this would not have been possible.”

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Alleviate her

Relieve her of debts that weigh heavy on her shoulders


Wives of prisoners are left to pick up the pieces on their own when their main breadwinner is taken away. With assets confiscated and benefits frozen, they can quickly accumulate rent arrears and unpaid bills. In some cases, they inherit the debts of their husbands. With limited financial resources, these become near impossible for them to pay off. With 50% of Muslim households entrapped in a cycle of poverty, 65% After two years living with the pandemic and the current cost of living crisis, many more families have spiralled into debt, exacerbating their anxiety.


“I had so much debt when I contacted HHUGS but they helped me pay off my rent arrears, my water bill and my council tax arrears, which lifted a huge burden off my shoulders.”

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Connect her

Allow isolated families to celebrate with the community this Eid


No one deserves to be left alone in times of hardship. Yet this is the reality families of prisoners live with day in and day out. With no Eid celebrations in the past year, due to government restrictions, families have already struggled being treated as outsiders by their own communities, and often face harassment. This situation is hardest on single mothers, who are helpless as their children witness the joy of their peers during Eid.


“The Eid parties, the presents - it's made me feel as though 'I'm not alone. You get together with other families and it makes you realise it’s not only you going through that struggle. It’s like they’re family, they are a part of us and we are a part of them. My children were so happy to see me happy and smiling.”

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The Best deeds in the sight of Allah…
Can’t afford a big donation?


The best deeds in the sight of Allah are those done regularly, however small or simple. Start now, by giving £10 a month, in the best 10 days to give.

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“The best deeds are those done regularly even if they are few.”
(Ibn Mājah)

Represent your region or be the next Child Champion this Eid! We’re looking for 100 winners to raise £1000 or £100 each in the 10 best days of the year.

Could you sacrifice your guilty pleasures so that a family in need can have access to basic necessities?


Sign up to the HHUGS challenge, to follow in the footsteps of Ibrahim (AS) by giving up something you love, during the last 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. This could be caffeine, sugar, junk food or maybe even social media! Raise funds through sponsorship, as you tackle your nafs, and give relief to a HHUGS family this Eid ul Adha.


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