They support the families that are tragically affected (for life, even if ordeal ends) by the anti terror legislation in the UK which happens to be a fairly large population of Muslims- predominantly innocent women and children.  I have been fortunate enough to witness the fruits of their work, first hand.

HHUGS were there for me at the most difficult time of my life. When my home, family and privacy was raided and torn apart upon on 16th November 2009 and my dear father and loving brother were arrested and snatched away from me- my life changed, totally. It was couple of weeks into my marriage. The peace we had in our home, neighbourhood, and community was permanently destroyed. We were three women, and a five year old, not allowed in our own home for a whole week. Totally disconnected from the world, not allowed any phones or personal belongings- just abandoned in a hotel room left in utter confusion in a truly vulnerable state. We were left victimised by the state, demonised by the media, disliked by neighbours, and the left abandoned by a lot of the community to the extent that any men from our family/relatives were banned from certain mosques in Manchester! On the other hand, whilst so many shunned us, people who we didn't even know, nor expected came forth to support us. Amongst them is the beautiful support of HHUGS. Alhamdulilah we were financially stable, so the most useful form of help I benefitted from was the moral, and emotional support specifically from my beloved sister in Islam, Aisha Mirza :) May Allah swt grant her the highest ranks in al firdaous with her family and ease each and every difficulty she faces in this life, and grant her good health. May Allah swt repel any harm from her and her family ameen. Naturally, these heartfelt duas extend to all those who financially supported HHUGS to make this possible. Furthermore, my father was moved to Belmarsh prison in London. So it was virtually impossible for us to visit him without the help of HHUGS and some truly beloved brothers in our community. May Allah swt grant each and every one of them success upon success in this life and the next. Ameen ya Rabb.

HHUGS is such an important charity. Supporting them is our duty. Alhamdulilah we were fortunate enough to be known in the community through my father's dawah work. But usually, most families are not so fortunate and the wife of the detainee is left in a shattered home, trying to live a 'normal' life for her children in extremely stressful circumstances when she herself is in need of help and support! An example of one situation is as follows:

One of the sisters who is supported by HHUGS told me how traumatic her experience was of the raid. She is not British, couldn't speak English fluently and has no family in UK. Her husband was the backbone of their family. She was pregnant until the moment of the raid when they barged through the front door around 3am, arrested & dragged away her husband, leaving her children screaming in terror, and she miscarried there and then. Left alone. Media, government, neighbours, community all demonised her and her children. Who stepped forward to offer (most importantly) emotional, financial, support etc? It was HHUGS.

So please read about the different ways you can offer your TIME and financial support to this unique charity on www.hhugs.org.uk and to find out more on how to support my family by supporting the campaign to release my father please visit www.facebook.com/FreeMunirFarooqi and www.FreeMunir.org

Last, but certainly not the least! :D Please don't forget to SPONSOR me and DONATE GENEROUSLY! For those of you who know me, know exactly how the cold weather and Zul REALLY don't get on!! :( :( But anything for the families supported by HHUGS inshaAllah! 

Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page :) Duas requested! Ma'asalaam! :-)