Hundreds flocked to the charity drive at the East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre in Whitechapel on Friday, which was organised in collaboration with Muslim Aid.
Pictures show almost 7,500 members of the congregation donating the items as they attended Friday prayers.
They can be seen standing proudly in front of crates loaded with shopping bags filled with non-perishable goods like rice, pasta, cereal and tinned goods.
Organisers estimate that more than 7 tonnes of food was donated by the Mosque attendees, with local businesses, schools, a university and other faith leaders all chipping in.
More than 90 percent of the collection will benefit non-Muslims via the homeless charity Crisis.
Christian Reverend Gary Bradley has praised the endeavor, saying it was a prime example of ‘all faiths working together for a common humanity’.
Muslim Aid staff/volunteers with the local priest at today's #BigFoodDrive for the homeless. #ServingHumanity #Interfaith pic.twitter.com/tr1v72gu3W
— Muslim Aid UK (@Muslim_Aid) December 16, 2016
Shaykh Abdul Qayum, Chief Imam of the East London Mosque, said: ‘Muslims are inspired by their faith towards helping others in need. It is a religious duty for Muslims to try to help others, irrespective of a person’s faith or background.
‘In the cold winter months when we have the luxury of a home and hot food, it’s easy to forget about others that are in dire need around us. So it is in that spirit we take part in this big food drive.’
Muslim Aid staff and volunteers collecting your donated items, being ready to be shipped to @crisis_uk to help the homeless. #BigFoodDrive pic.twitter.com/WFn6YdQnYK
— Muslim Aid UK (@Muslim_Aid) December 16, 2016
The number of people sleeping rough in the UK has risen dramatically in the past years.
Government figures estimate that more 3,500 people slept on the streets each night last year – that’s an increase of 30 percent compared to 2014.
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