You won’t see this in right-wing headlines — Muslims raise £170,000 to fund a new MRI suite for the NHS.
While far-right media outlets continue to stoke fear and division with headlines designed to vilify Muslims, a different and deeply inspiring story has quietly unfolded in West Yorkshire.
In a powerful show of community spirit and civic responsibility, Muslims in Wakefield and Dewsbury have raised an impressive £170,000 to support the MRI Appeal of MY Hospitals Charity, funding a new, state-of-the-art MRI suite at Pinderfields Hospital.
The grassroots campaign, called Muslims for MRI, brought together over 60 mosques, businesses, charities and individual donors from across the region. Their efforts not only surpassed the original £150,000 goal but also demonstrated what true, inclusive public service looks like.
This wasn’t a government initiative or a publicity campaign. It was simply a diverse group of Muslims people often unfairly maligned in the national press coming together to give back to the NHS, the very institution some accuse them of burdening.
At a time when certain tabloids are busy manufacturing outrage over the existence of a Muslim Staff Network within the NHS, the Muslim community has offered a timely reminder of what it means to serve your neighbours, irrespective of faith or background.
The funds raised have helped complete a modern MRI suite that will enhance diagnostic capabilities, reduce waiting times and improve outcomes for thousands of patients across the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust. From identifying cancers earlier to diagnosing neurological conditions more efficiently, the impact of this suite will be deeply felt across the region.
To commemorate the effort, NHS staff hosted a special event at the hospital. Community members were taken on a guided tour of the new suite, which now proudly features a commemorative plaque honouring their contribution.
Keith Ramsay, Chair of MY Hospitals Charity and the NHS Trust, said it best:
“This is a true example of community generosity making a tangible difference.”
And indeed, it is.
Mr Iqbal Bhana, speaking on behalf of Muslims for MRI, echoed the sentiment:
“This project brought people together from all walks of life to support the NHS. It’s a moment of pride for our community to see the results of that unity and compassion.”
More than just a fundraising effort, this campaign represents a counter-narrative, a powerful example of how Muslim communities across Britain continue to contribute, uplift and serve. It’s a reminder that while some seek to divide us through suspicion and fear, others quietly build bridges with action, love and generosity.
In a country where public healthcare is under immense strain, and where suspicion toward minorities is all too often politicised, Muslims for MRI stands as a shining example of faith-based civic leadership. Their efforts remind us that community doesn’t begin and end at identity. It flourishes through service.
If only more headlines told stories like this, so that facts like these could help promote a positive image of Islam and curb Islamophobia and skepticism.
Source: Islam Channel, Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust.