A group of Muslim volunteers from Lancashire Council of Mosques (LCM) paid a special visit to patients at Blackburn Royal Hospital, putting a smile on their faces before the holiday season, Asian Image reported.

“We are grateful to the hospital for the opportunity to visit these elderly patients,” Molana Rafiq Sufi, chair of the LCM, said.

“During these cold winter months, it is important that we share our kind thoughts, warm feelings and good gestures with patients so that happiness is enjoyed by everyone including those that are going through a period of ill health and suffering.  

“We at LCM are ready and happy to help our elderly community regardless of their faith and background,” he added.

The LCM chairman accompanied volunteers as well as Hafiza Patel, Muhammad Sadiq, Latifa Patel and other members of the LCM team.

Taking time to converse with patients, volunteers also handed out special gifts.

Britain is home to a sizable Muslim minority of nearly 2.7 million, according to the 2011 census.

Christmas is the main festival on the Christian calendar.

Though Muslims do not celebrate Christmas, they usually extend hands to help patients, less fortunate, and homeless people to celebrate the season.

In December 2017, a group of Muslim high school pupils from Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School (TIBHS) paid a special visit to hospitalized children in Blackburn, giving them gifts.

Earlier in the same year, another group of Muslim primary school pupils from Rawdhatul Uloom Primary School delivered toys to hospitalized patients in a children’s ward in Blackburn.