Cultural charity day in London brings Maghrebi communities together in support of Gaza
A charity cultural day organised by North Africa Trust UK brought together members of London’s Maghrebi communities in a show of solidarity with Gaza, combining fundraising, cultural activities and artistic expression.
The event, titled Stand with Gaza, Share Hope, was held at Walthamstow School for Girls in north-east London and drew families from Algerian, Moroccan and Tunisian backgrounds, alongside attendees from other Arab communities.
Beginning at 11:30am, the day aimed to raise funds for humanitarian and medical relief in Gaza through Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), as the territory continues to face severe humanitarian conditions amid the ongoing war.
Culture and fundraising at the heart of the event
The programme blended charitable fundraising with cultural celebration. A charity bazaar featured women’s clothing and accessories, while food stalls served traditional North African dishes, creating a lively communal space shaped by shared heritage and purpose.
Organisers said the cultural focus helped bring people together across generations, using food and shared traditions as a way to strengthen community ties while supporting a humanitarian cause.
Children’s activities promote awareness and solidarity
Children played a central role in the day, with a dedicated area offering educational and creative activities, including drawing, Arabic writing and calligraphy.
Organisers said the aim was to encourage humanitarian awareness and solidarity among younger generations, helping children understand global issues in age-appropriate and creative ways.
Artwork from Gaza highlights human cost of the war
One of the most impactful elements of the event was an exhibition of drawings sent by children in Gaza.
The artworks depicted daily life under bombardment and siege, as well as hopes for safety and peace. Many attendees stopped to view the drawings, describing them as a powerful reminder of the human cost of the war, particularly for children.
Organisers and attendees stress need for practical support
Speaking to Al-Arab in UK, Ismail Bekhsi, supervisor at North Africa Trust UK, said the event reflected the community’s responsibility to respond to humanitarian crises, especially in Palestine.
“Our aim is to move beyond symbolic gestures and provide real, practical support,” he said.
Souham, an Algerian participant, said culture and art offered an effective way to express solidarity, while Mahmoud, an Egyptian attendee, noted that events like this help strengthen links between Arab communities in the UK and refocus attention on shared humanitarian concerns.
Others, including Bilal from Algeria and Wassila from Tunisia, praised the organisation of the day and the strong turnout, describing it as a successful example of coordinated community action.
Community engagement beyond borders
Children also contributed to the message of solidarity. Sirine, Sara and Ishaq, all of Algerian heritage, shared drawings and messages in support of children in Gaza.
Abdelrahman, another participant, said involving children in such initiatives helps embed values of justice and compassion from an early age.
The event concluded with calls for similar initiatives to continue, underlining that the Maghrebi community in Britain remains actively engaged in humanitarian action — and that Gaza remains firmly present in the community’s collective conscience, despite the geographical distance.
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