When public services are struggling, it’s often local communities that step in to make a difference. A powerful example of this came from the UKIM Sparkbrook Islamic Centre and Masjid, which played a vital role during Birmingham’s ongoing bin strike crisis.

With mountains of uncollected rubbish causing concern across the city and fly-tipping becoming a regular problem, the UKIM Sparkbrook Islamic Centre and Masjid stepped forward to support Birmingham City Council in organising a clean-up operation for local residents.

On Saturday, 5th April 2025, the mosque hosted a mobile waste collection event that saw over 1,400 cars and more than 2,000 residents make use of the service. Thanks to a well-coordinated effort from over 40 volunteers, a massive 120 tonnes of waste was cleared in a single day—without a single bag of rubbish being left behind or dumped on the streets. Not only did this help reduce the build-up of waste, but it also protected the local area from the health and safety risks that come with uncontrolled fly-tipping.

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The initiative came after concerning scenes from nearby areas such as Tyseley Community Centre, where fly-tipped rubbish had completely blocked access to a children’s play area, requiring a JCB to clear the mess.

Wanting to avoid such problems in Sparkbrook, the mosque quickly called a strategy meeting on Thursday evening. During the meeting, they planned the full operation, including how to manage traffic, support residents, and keep the area clean and organised.

Volunteers arrived early on the day, beginning with a freshly cooked hot desi breakfast to fuel their work. They were then assigned roles across two car parks. One car park was set up for vehicles, where volunteers greeted each driver, opened car doors, and collected black bin bags—all within a target time of 90 seconds per vehicle.

The second car park was dedicated to residents arriving on foot or with wheelie bins. Volunteers assisted them in unloading their waste and ensured the process was smooth and respectful.

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The event ran until 3pm, and at the end of the day, another hot meal was served for all those involved—a beautiful gesture of gratitude and community. According to the mosque’s representative, Ishtiaq Mohammed, not a single bag was fly-tipped and the mosque grounds were left completely spotless. He praised the dedication of the volunteers and expressed deep appreciation for the support of Councillor Majid Mahmood and council staff.

Councillor Mahmood himself called the mosque’s efforts “a shining example” of what can be achieved when minority communities and local authorities work hand in hand. The event’s success has inspired other community groups to offer their own facilities for similar initiatives.

This story reflects the true spirit of service in Islam. Mosques are not just places of worship, but hubs of community care and support. By stepping in when it was most needed, Sparkbrook Islamic Centre showed how our mosques can bring about real, positive change—not just for Muslims, but for the entire local community.