A packed hall in East Ham of Newham’s Indian Muslims raised money to help in the fight against Cancer.

Local MPs Stephen Timms and Lyn Brown along with Newham Council’s Cabinet Member Ken Clark were in attendance joining over 600 people at The Royal Regency on High St North. Lyn Brown MP and Cllr Clark gave moving accounts of how cancer had impacted them after their loved ones contracted this illness, and the audience were visibly moved by their words.

Stephen Timms emphasised the need for communities to unite in the fight against Cancer and congratulated the organisers for their work.

The audience of mainly Muslims from across East London listened carefully as Professor Matin Sheriff, an expert on Cancer, gave a detailed presentation on Cancer and it’s causes. Politicians including newly elected London Assembly Member and Newham Cllr Unmesh Desai, urged people to help fight this terrible disease.

The organiser’s, the Indian Muslim Federation Newham’s Chairman, Saeed Mohamed said,

People tend to forget how cruel Cancer can be and how devastating it’s impact is on loved ones. If even one family or one person afflicted by this disease can be helped, then it is a something we must do. Muslims have a duty to help good causes and none come better than aiding the fight against cancer.

Newham’s Islamic community was joined by politicians at a charity night at the Royal Regency in High Street North, Manor Park.

More than 600 people came together at the event.

The event raised the cash from floor contributions – with some offering £1,000 and more – and raffles. The prizes included lunch at City Hall and dinner in the House of Commons.

The fundraiser was attended by East Ham MP Stephen Timms, West Ham MP Lyn Brown and Cllr Ken Clark, who joined London Assembly Member for City and East Unmesh Desai to speak about how cancer has affected their loved ones.

Medway Foundation Trust cancer specialist Professor Matin Sheriff also gave a presentation on the causes of cancer.

Mr Desai said he felt enlightened and empowered by the evening.

“It was a fantastic achievement and example of a community in action with a generosity of spirit,” he said.

“I’ve nothing but praise for the federation, who have an enviable reputation for charity work.

“I’ve spoken with Macmillan and they said they’ve never seen anything like this before. This was my first public engagement as an assembly member and I really learned something about a community in action.”

Saeed said it was important for Muslims to reach out to people suffering from cancer, and believes it is part of doing God’s work.

“Muslims have a duty to help good causes,” he said. “None come better than aiding the fight against cancer.”

And Lyn Brown MP praised the federation’s dedication.

It was a delight to attend the Indian Muslim Federation fundraising dinner,” she said. “I think that the leadership of the Indian Muslim Federation deserve much credit for organising this event and for raising so much money. It was a lovely evening and a very worthy cause.”