No one from the Karumbukkadai locality could have imagined that a mosque in their area would make headlines across national and international media outlets.
Karumbukkadai, known for its dense population, is a bustling neighbourhood in Coimbatore, often referred to as the “Manchester of South India.” Here, Al Huda Mosque, which has been administered by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) for the past 40 years, took a remarkable step during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mosque was converted into a counselling and helpline centre to aid COVID-19 patients during the crisis.
The COVID-19 information and counsellingcentre provided two crucial services to the community:
- Information on Bed Availability: The centre offered real-time information on the availability of hospital beds in both government and private hospitals within the district.
- Counselling for Physical and Mental Health: Given the surge in COVID-19 cases, which led to a scarcity of beds, many people, after testing positive, would panic and rush to hospitals, often resulting in chaos and even deaths. In these uncertain times, the centre’s helpline provided guidance on available beds and hospital resources, trying to minimise their fear and panic.
In addition, the centre offered free counselling services, engaging 75 doctors who provided advice over the phone, helping people improve both their physical and mental health. These services were offered without any discrimination of social or religious backgrounds.
The Al Huda Masjid helpline centre received nearly 100 calls a day from anxious individuals who were tested positive for COVID-19. In their panic, callers often didn’t know where to turn for help. The counsellors, however, guided them with accurate information, reducing anxiety and boosting their confidence.
The centre was run by volunteers from the JIH, Students’ Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) and Solidarity Youth Org., who worked tirelessly to ensure the service ran smoothly.
In addition to these major services, the mosque also provided essential items and food for individuals in isolation at home. There were instances when entire streets were cut off from access to essential supplies. In these situations, JIH volunteers and SIO students made regular deliveries of food prepared by the mosque’s kitchen, following the government’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Moreover, the COVID-19 helpline at Al Huda Masjid distributed oxygen concentrators and cylinders free of cost to those in need.
Front-End Field Workers
JIH volunteers also extended their support to frontline workers like police personnel, hospital doctors, nurses, and sanitation workers. These workers were provided with hygienic consumables, such as tissues, hand sanitizers, and face masks. Additionally, quality food was supplied to duty doctors and nurses in government hospitals in Coimbatore for two consecutive months.
Another mosque administered by JIH, Masjid Al Muhajiroon, located on the outskirts of the city, supported the community by distributing vegetables to local residents three days a week during the lockdown. Volunteers, with the help of philanthropic vegetable vendors, contributed to this initiative.
Post-COVID Rehabilitation
Educational Guidance and Counselling: The lockdown led to many students dropping out of their education. In response, the JIH extended financial assistance and guidance to help these students continue their studies without interruption.
Job Fair: The pandemic resulted in widespread job losses. To assist, Al Huda Masjid organised a Job Fair, helping around 600 individuals secure employment.
Through these efforts, Masjid Al Huda, Masjid Al Ihsan, and Masjid Al Muhajiroon played a significant role in alleviating the hardships faced by the community during the pandemic. By serving God’s creation, these places of worship have set a benchmark for mosques across the country.