Our story · Love Mercy Hope

Since our humble beginnings in 2019, we have responded to innumerable catastrophes and launched long-term projects in 17 countries.

Love Mercy Hope is an international non-governmental organisation that works with some of the world's most destitute areas. We support livelihood, education, water, and health programmes worldwide, as well as orphan sponsorship programmes in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Over the years, we have established an international network, and local volunteers have taken the time to accumulate the knowledge and expertise to assist the people that are most in need. As Love Mercy Hope continues forward, we are devoted not only to assisting individuals in distress, but also to long-term assistance and empowerment of those in Nottingham and nearby.

Origin story

As a young boy, Ahmed Aslam was always interested in serving and volunteering, but he found it challenging because charities were not keen on taking on young people. This ambition stayed with him as he grew up. Having spent a year in Saudi Arabia teaching, it deepened his desire to give back to his community. Upon returning, he helped establish a madrassah system at his local mosque, Jamia Sultania, with the support of a few brothers. This experience sparked his passion for serving and project management.

He invited Anton Blair, Ismaiel Khan, and a few other brothers to join their efforts to make the madrassah system more engaging for the students. In 2019, they had an opportunity to support poor people in Ghana. They sent some money over to see how it would be utilised, and the impact was incredible. Providing hot meals to very poor people and receiving their heartfelt feedback was a lightbulb moment for them.

Inspired, he spoke with Anton Blair and Ismaiel Khan, and they decided to register a charity to make everything official. Initially, their aim was to do small acts of charity, especially during the month of Ramadan. Anton Blair took on the task of figuring out how to set up and register a charity.

After successfully registering, they faced what seemed like an impossible task: choosing a name. One day, Ahmed opened a book by Shaykh Hisham Kabbani and it read that if you could summarise all the works Mawlana Shaykh Nazim had done in their life in four words, they would be love, mercy, hope, and reassurance. Thus, the name Love Mercy Hope was born. With these words being the main pillars of Sufism, they agreed on the name, designed a logo, and the rest is history.

Since then, the team has stuck together, grown stronger, and are continuing their mission to serve. They aim to leave a legacy that reaches all four corners of the world, driven by the values of love, mercy, hope (and reassurance).

The story so far

2020

Ghana Sanctuary

The Ghana Sanctuary is one of Love Mercy Hope's first projects, demonstrating their commitment to community development. Nestled in Accra, this multipurpose community centre serves as an orphanage, a safe haven for women and children, and a boarding school. Beyond its educational and protective functions, the Ghana Sanctuary allows the community to celebrate joyous moments by providing venues for wedding ceremonies and spiritual meetings. It also has an open kitchen to promote cooperation and togetherness. The Sanctuary is more than just a structure; it is a source of hope, education, and celebration for the people of Accra.

Fresh bread at the bakery Love Mercy Hope funded in Yemen

Yemen bread factory

Witnessing Yemen's dire humanitarian crisis prompted the Love Mercy Hope team to take action. Determined to make a difference, they launched a fundraising campaign that yielded encouraging results, generating more than £10,000. This incredible effort resulted in the distribution of over 280,000 loaves of bread to individuals in desperate need, bringing food and a glimmer of hope in the face of hardship.

A girl washing at a water tank in Pakistan

Pakistan Water Project

They launched a water project with the revolutionary objective of offering clean water for as little as £75. Access to clean water eliminates the danger of illness from activities such as drinking, cooking, washing, watering crops, and making wudu. By installing basic wells, Love Mercy Hope empowers communities to break free from the cycle of poverty. Over 600 water pumps of all capacities are currently operational, situated in settings ranging from individual gardens to villages shared by several homes, and even schools.

South Africa hot meals

Following the COVID-19 outbreak, people turned to food banks for help, arriving up to three hours early. In response to the rising demand, Love Mercy Hope collaborated with Naqshbandi Muhammadi, an organisation that provides millions of meals. Together, they addressed the growing need, demonstrating that it costs about 20 pence to feed one person.

Family food packs ready for distribution in Uganda

Uganda family food packs

In response to severe requirements in Uganda, Love Mercy Hope launched an emergency family food supply programme aimed at the region's most vulnerable populations. Each precisely prepared food box is intended to feed an entire Ugandan family for a month, offering not just sustenance but also a sense of security and hope in difficult times.

Two children holding young goats in Malawi

Malawi livestock

In Malawi, Love Mercy Hope has launched a long-term initiative to empower local people. The project provides families with goats, allowing them to produce dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt on their own. This project not only delivers immediate nutritional benefits, but it also encourages long-term economic growth.

A Rumi's Table volunteer handing warm clothing to someone in Nottingham at night

Rumi's Table, Nottingham

Love Mercy Hope, founded on the concept that charity begins in the community, launched a food bank in Nottingham's bustling city centre. This effort is dedicated to providing hot meals and clothing to a diverse range of people, including the homeless, those experiencing financial hardship, and students, among others. This food bank has a no questions asked policy, which ensures accessibility and support for all those in need.

2021

Syria

In response to the catastrophic circumstances in war-torn Syria, Love Mercy Hope took an important step by launching food distribution activities. Recognising the crucial need for nutrition in such difficult circumstances, the organisation began providing meals to those affected by the fighting.

People queuing for clean water delivered in Gaza in 2023

Palestine

Responding to the acute needs of the occupied Palestinian territories, Love Mercy Hope launched an important food distribution programme. Recognising the difficulties encountered by the inhabitants in these locations, the organisation began to supply basic necessities to individuals living under occupation.

Zambia

Love Mercy Hope expanded their goal of compassion by distributing food packs in Zambia. This new initiative intends to address nutritional needs and improve the well-being of Zambian communities, reflecting their dedication to assisting those in need.

Children with plates of hot food in South Africa

Rumi's Table, South Africa

Love Mercy Hope's ongoing weekly feeding effort, Rumi's Table, has expanded into South Africa. Every Friday, the project successfully feeds around 300 people, exemplifying the spirit of community and compassion.

2022

Ghana health insurance

Love Mercy Hope funded Ghana National Health Insurance cards for persons who could not afford medical expenditures. The NHIS card, which serves as a lifeline, covers 95% of common diseases in Ghana, including malaria, diarrhoea, skin diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and asthma. By distributing these health insurance cards, many individuals received access to vital medical care for five years.

Uganda water wells

They embarked on an ambitious effort to build ten water wells in ten Ugandan villages, each with approximately 500 residents. This project presented major hurdles, especially due to the high expenses involved with the specialised equipment required to dig deep for water. Despite these challenges, each water well, which cost £1,200, was successfully built and today supplies ten villages.

Zambia fruit trees

Love Mercy Hope launched another sustainable effort, this time in Zambia, giving donors the opportunity to plant a range of fruit trees such as lemon, guava, avocado, and mango. Each fruit tree was committed to being cared for throughout its life, ensuring a long-term impact. Furthermore, the project generated job opportunities because each tree planting hired a farmer, allowing them to sustain their family.

2023

The Love Mercy Hope team responding to the Turkey earthquake

Turkey deployment

Following Turkey's catastrophic earthquake, the Love Mercy Hope team quickly organised a fundraising campaign that brought the community together in solidarity. In a collaboration with Toro's Steakhouse in Manchester, an event was staged where all earnings went to help victims in both Turkey and Syria. This teamwork resulted in a remarkable total of almost £16,000 raised. Inspired by their achievement, the crew started on their first deployment to the impacted areas, providing food and clothing and forging strong, emotional bonds.

Hidayat Dergah

Nottingham's community came together to build a magnificent and multifunctional community centre, which currently serves as a focal point for a wide range of events. This bustling centre offers weekly meditation sessions, spiritual meetings, and seminars on ethics and life teachings. It also provides health and wellness seminars, including traditional and Sunnah sports, Islamic education, and daff and qasa'id classes.

Morocco deployment

Following the tragic earthquake in Morocco, Love Mercy Hope quickly despatched a team to help with recovery work. The team's mission in Morocco was to provide practical and emotional support to individuals affected, addressing urgent needs while also working towards long-term recovery and reconstruction.

A Mawlid gathering sponsored by Love Mercy Hope

Mawlid around the world

For the first time in its history, Love Mercy Hope sponsored the Mawlid, a reverent and joyful occasion celebrated in diverse nations around the world. This global initiative extended from Madinah, Palestine, Syria, and Yemen to Turkey, Cyprus, Pakistan, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, Congo, Lesotho, and the United Kingdom.

A volunteer packing aid under a Palestine Emergency banner in Egypt

Egypt deployment

Following the recent events in Palestine, Love Mercy Hope felt compelled to act. The team conducted a rigorous fundraising campaign, generating more than £80,000 with the help of Islamic societies (ISOCs), local businesses, Toro's Steakhouse in Manchester, Bradford, and Blackburn, Chaaye Pani, and many more. Their coordinated efforts culminated in the deployment of 11 trucks stocked with necessary supplies, including 300 wheelchairs, 2,000 mattresses, 2,000 blankets, 5,800 hygiene packs, and 6,720 food packs. The crew met with families who had evacuated Gaza, providing both physical and emotional support.

2024

A Blessed Evening family event

LMH Ambassador Mawlana Shaykh Mehmet was hosted by the Love Mercy Hope team in a special family-friendly event that drew an impressive crowd of approximately 800 attendees. The event was a heartfelt gathering filled with insightful lectures, songs of praise and spiritual enrichment, fostering a sense of community and connection.

Zambia Village Project

The Zambia Village Project is one of Love Mercy Hope's biggest projects to date. The team has already started the works to establish a comprehensive community infrastructure, including a school, orphanage, madrassah, mosque, farm, fruit tree orchards, sports ground, and much more.

The Love Mercy Hope convoy on the way to the earthquake zone in Turkey

Egypt emergency deployment

The Love Mercy Hope team returned to Egypt once more during the month of Ramadan to purchase and pack aid to be sent across the Rafah border. The coordinated efforts of the volunteers and local businesses culminated in the deployment of 4 trucks containing 60 tonnes of flour and 2,084 food parcels. This time around the crew met and served families who had evacuated Gaza, who were living in a large building provided by a generous businessman.

Eid prayer on the outfield at Trent Bridge

Community Eid prayer at Trent Bridge

Eid prayers were held on the Trent Bridge outfield for the first time, marking the end of Ramadan. Members of Colwick's Hidayat Dergah community centre and the Mu'Allif organisation in Nottingham, led by Imam Abdul Aziz Ahmed, participated in the prayers. Afterwards, attendees enjoyed a Turkish breakfast at the venue.

Hot meals being served at Rumi's Table in South Africa

Rumi's Table in Lesotho, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, Pakistan and Chile

Due to the need and thanks to generous sponsorship, we are thrilled to announce the launch of Rumi's Table in several countries. Rumi's Table is a regularly scheduled, weekly feeding project dedicated to providing nutritious meals to those in need.

Silat Asli traditional martial arts

Love Mercy Hope launched Silat classes in Derby, Nottingham, Manchester, and London under the guidance of our instructor Ustadh Abdur Rahman Blanchette, who has an extensive background in judo and kung fu, having learned from masters in Malaysia and Indonesia. We offer sessions for both kids and adults.

AJ Sports Football Club

Love Mercy Hope started sponsoring the AJ Sport Academy U11 football team. AJ Sport Academy is dedicated to supporting under-privileged children who typically do not have access to sports facilities or opportunities to participate in organised sports.

A family beside a new well in Kinniya, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka projects

Love Mercy Hope have branched out to Sri Lanka, installing hand and water pumps to provide clean and accessible water to communities lacking reliable sources. Additionally, the team is planting fruit trees to support local agriculture and distributing food to those in need.

Volunteers on the retreat in Lefke, Cyprus

Cyprus retreat

Our dedicated volunteers enjoyed a spiritual retreat in the quaint village of Lefke, Cyprus. They visited Hala Sultan Tekke, a revered mosque and shrine, the resting place of the Seven Sahabas, and the burial site of Shaykh Nazim, a renowned Sufi master.

Spain retreat

Love Mercy Hope's volunteers were taken on a spiritual retreat to Spain, visiting Orgiva, Murcia, Granada, and Alicante. The retreat was part of Shaykh Mehmet Adil's Spain tour, which included visits to significant Islamic sites like La Rabita Califal and the Mezquita de Sagunto.