Our coverage of urgent fire stories and public warnings is free to all readers. Please consider supporting our journalism with a subscription.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Several organisations involving members from Sydney's Islamic community have travelled to Cobargo, bringing supplies and support.
On Wednesday, three trucks and two vans were delivered to the town's bushfire relief centre at the Cobargo Showground containing donations for those recovering from the blaze that devastated their region.
Along with these supplies, members of the Sydney-based groups Human Appeal Australia, Lighthouse Community Support, the Australian Islamic Mission - which is based at Punchbowl Mosque - and the mosque's AIM Youth group travelled to the town to provide support and cook food for people at the showground.
Human Appeal's Omar Al-Jamal, who also runs AIM Youth and describes himself as a "loving member of the community", said his community had been watching what had been occurring on the Far South Coast over the past week so decided they wanted to do something "to stand with our fellow Australians".
He said his community gathered the donations for the trucks according to what they had been told was needed in the area.
"Australia is our home and we want to cater for all our fellow Australians," he said.
"It's also part of our religion as Muslims.
"If someone is in need, we need to support and stand with them."
Mr Al-Jamal said about 35 people from the organisations had made the journey south and had been made to feel very welcome in Cobargo.
"We've been welcomed with open arms; people have been very thankful and have been greeting us with a smile," he said.
He said his impression of Cobargo's region was that while it had been devastated by fire, it was a beautiful place.
"It's just unfortunate what's happened to it so far, but we definitely want to come back," he said.
Mr Al-Jamal's message to the local community was to stay strong.
"Your fellow Australian Muslim brothers and sisters and supporters in Sydney are thinking of you guys and will be supporting you no matter what," he said.
The organisations planned to travel with supplies and support to Eden before also visiting Braidwood.
The aftermath of the March 2018 bushfire in Tathra's district saw similar support from members of Sydney's community provided to the region.
After that tragedy, in a widely-celebrated move the organisation Sydney Youth Connect travelled to Tathra to give a free barbecue to the town's residents.