100-year-old man raises over £75,000 for coronavirus charities during Ramadan

A 100-year-old poet and book lover from London is walking 100-laps while fasting during Ramadan to raise money for those affected by coronavirus.

British Muslim centenarian Dabirul Islam Choudhury has raised a staggering £75,000 so far for over twenty different charities which help people affected by coronavirus in the UK and Bangladesh, and those delivering aid to refugees in Syria, Yemen, and Palestine.

Dabirul began his initiative to raise £1,000 by walking around an 80-metre communal garden on April 26, but within hours of setting up the challenge on a JustGiving page he had reached his target.

Within just 8 days, donations had risen to £50,000 and currently sit at over £75,000.

Dabirul – who was born on January 1, 1920 in Bangladesh – arrived in England in 1957 to study English Literature.

His grasp, comprehension, and understanding of English was so good that he soon became a community leader in London and eventually settled in St. Albans.

His positive work in the community led to him assisting numerous projects over the years which have benefited his local community and also raised money for the independence of Bangladesh.

His passion to help fellow human beings remains strong and has inspired him on his current challenge to raise money during the coronavirus pandemic.

His JustGiving page has currently raised in excess of £75,000 for the Ramadan Family Commitment (RFC) Covid-19 crisis initiative which is organised by British-Bangladeshi television broadcaster Channel S.

Dabirul expressed his heartfelt thanks to those who have donated:

“Thank you for your donations.

“I’m not fighting alone to put a smile on the faces of hungry children, we are fighting together.

“This money will help families who are in desperate need in the UK, Bangladesh and many other countries.”

Away from his work in the community, the century old Londoner has a deep love for poetry and books. In his spare time he enjoys browsing book shops and attending poetry events. He also writes and has published over a thousand of his own poems.

Dabirul is very determined and committed to his current charity challenge and he plans to continue fundraising for the duration of Ramadan which lasts a full month.

The fasting period runs from dawn to dusk and no food or water is permitted. This will add extra weight to his challenge during the current warm weather but Dabirul has shown grit and resilience.

Citing his Islamic faith forms an integral part of his daily life which inspires him to reach out and help others, he has said he will carry on fasting and observing regular prayers as he continues with his daily laps to raise money for charity.

Donations to Dabirul Islam Choudhury’s JustGiving page can be made here.