Lebanese Londoners step up to help Beirut

When Ranim El-Hajjar heard from her family in Beirut after yesterday's explosion, she was relieved. 

A massive explosion near the heart of Lebanon's capital Tuesday killed 135 people and has left more than 5,000 injured, according to the country's health minister.

El-Hajjar, who lives in London, said her thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been hurt, those who have lost loves ones and those who are still searching for missing family members and friends.

The details are still being figured out, but there is rally being planned in London on Sunday to honour the victims. 

Even before the tragedy struck, El-Hajjar said Lebanon was not in a good place. She recalled visiting her family and feeling saddened by the shortage in basic necessities, like water and electricity. 

"I think the Lebanese people are left in a state of hopelessness, which is just really sad to see," she said.

In an effort to help the country recover, El-Hajjar will be selling paintings with proceeds going to the Lebanese Food Bank and Lebanese Red Cross. 

Groups coming together 

Zain Alzeiq, president of the Muslim Student Association as Western University, said it is important to stand with those who have been directly impacted by the tragedy.

"Our community or world is the human body," she said, drawing on teachings of a prophet. "When one part aches, the rest of the body aches with it. And that's genuinely how we all feel."

Although Alzeiq is not from Lebanon, she said she had close friends who were in Beirut when the blast happened.

"I had a friend who was only five kilometres away from the explosion and it was mere luck and a blessing of God that he wasn't impacted greatly by it."

She said the Muslim community will continue to pray for those affected.