In the large storage space of the as-Soennah mosque on Fruitweg in The Hague, the bags and boxes are stacked meters high. ‘Everything comes in, clothes, toys, stuff for pets. A huge amount has really come in, ‘says El Jabli of residents’ organization De Paraplu. It was soon necessary to look for a larger space, because De Umbrella could no longer store its belongings at the Ferdinand Bolstraat.
“In recent days, more than 600 people have come to bring things from all over the country,” said Abdelhamid Taheri of the as-Sunnah mosque. They made a large shed available next to the mosque and on Monday people still come there to donate. “The campaign is over, because we have more than enough, but we refuse nothing,” says El Jabli.
Sleeping in a hotel
43 more people can’t go back to their home in Wouwermanstraat, where a huge fire broke out last week. There are 23 houses uninhabitable. Most of the victims sleep in a hotel, the rest with friends or family. The municipality has arranged that people who sleep in a hotel can stay there at least until June 1.
Rachid el Menhali, supermarket manager at Albert Heijn, donates dozens of shopping bags with food and care products. ‘These people went through a terrible thing and became homeless overnight. This is a small gesture. ‘ It is expected that the victims will come and pick things up in the mosque from Tuesday. “That’s why we still have to unpack a lot today,” says el Jabli. ‘That will certainly work with all the volunteers we have.’
Huge mountain of toys
‘I come from Voorburg and have brought baby equipment,’ says a woman who arrives by bicycle at the mosque on the edge of the Schilderswijk. She takes it for granted. “You do that for people who have nothing left.” Volunteers sort the donated items. Especially the mountain toys are huge.
All kinds of organizations have joined forces to help the victims of the fire. The Neighborhood Fathers, the Participation Kitchen, the Haagse Markt, the Leergeld Foundation, the Internship House, the Lotje Foundation, the Salvation Army send volunteers or donate stuff. Housing corporation Haag Wonen is looking for empty business premises in the Schilderswijk where all collected goods can be displayed.
Helping fellow human beings
“Sometimes you feel like everyone is diametrically opposed,” says Taheri. “But at times like this you see everyone coming here from near and far to help other people and that is good for you.”
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