Punjab is reeling under its worst floods since 1988, with nearly 50 lives lost and more than 1.75 lakh hectares of crops destroyed. While the Centre and state government were slow in providing immediate relief materials and the mainstream media too, remained largely indifferent for days, Punjab found solidarity elsewhere. Multiple Sikh non-government organisations, youth, farmers from neighbouring states, Punjabi celebrities and some organisations from across India were quick to step in.
In this time of crisis, Muslim organisations from Punjab and other states, also came forward to assist in flood-affected areas.
Mewat Leads the Way
Ever since they got news of floods in Punjab, local Muslims in the Mewat region in southern Haryana launched a door-to-door campaign to collect relief for Punjab’s flood-hit districts. Truckloads of rations, clothes, mosquito nets, medicines, clean drinking water, and even animal feed were dispatched from Mewat to Punjab.
Among the volunteers is 31-year-old Shahrukh Khan, a member of the Fraternity Movement’s Shikrawa unit in Mewat. He has coordinated supplies to flood-affected districts such as Ferozepur, Ludhiana, and Gurdaspur.
He says, "Mewat has been sending a lot of aid to Punjab. The entire region has been mobilising help."
One of the most moving contributions came from Rahimi, an 80-year-old woman from Tilakpuri village. She donated her silver bangle, which she had saved for her last days along with her small savings.
According to Shahrukh, "Many elderly women from Mewat have been raising funds by giving away bangles and jewellery, besides donating handwoven blankets called gudris to keep flood-affected people warm."
When asked about the motivation behind this outpouring of support from Muslims of Mewat, Shahrukh recalled the solidarity of Punjab’s Sikh community during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in 2019-20.
"Sikhs stood by us during Shaheen Bagh protests. And coming from a farming background, the Muslims of Mewat understand the pain of losing crop, land and livestock due to floods."Shahrukh, Fraternity Movement
From Farmers Protest to Floods
Faruk, 49, is the team leader of the Muslim Jaat Foundation (MJF) – a Delhi-based organisation that usually focuses on educational work.
Based in Banat in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district, Faruk is leading his team’s Punjab flood relief efforts.
He says that his organisation decided to help as soom as they heard about the floods on 25 August.
Faruk personally visited Amritsar and Gurdaspur to assess the situation and distribute the relief material.
He says "The conditions there were pitiable. The border areas of Amritsar were severely affected, and we distributed food and other essentials in areas like Gaggo Mahal, Sultan Mahal, Kallo Mahal, and Dera Baba Nanak”.
Faruk says that they had volunteered during the 2020-21 farmers' protest as well.
"We sent food for them and also set up stalls for farmers traveling to Delhi via the Shamli border. During the farmers’ protest, Rakesh Tikait had organised a big Panchayat, and we organised food for them” He added.
Looking ahead, Faruk said, "We are taking another team there on the 15th September. We realised that now there is no shortage of food, but basic necessities like medicines, clothes and fodder are still needed. So now we have decided to send four trolleys of animal feed."Faruk, Muslim Jaat Foundation
He praised the unity of the local community. "The people of Banat are quite enthusiastic. Both Hindu Jaats and Muslims have come together to help Punjab. Last night alone, 300 quintals of supplies were sent. People are organising meetings in small groups to mobilise relief materials."
The efforts of individuals like Faruk and his team comprising Sadiq Chaudhary, Asif Chaudhary, Sadiq Chaudhary Harsoli, Nadeem Shamli, Dr. Amjad Banat, Shanu Chaudhary Rathoda, Moin Chaudhary Kalyanpur, Khwaja Sahab, and Dr. Arshad reflect the larger humanitarian mission of the Muslim Jaat Foundation (MJF Trust), which has mobilised volunteers and communities to provide relief across Punjab.
The foundation’s operations have reached flood-affected districts like Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and surrounding villages such as Gagu Mahal, Galib, Sultan Mahal, and Dayal Bhati, delivering relief kits containing food, clothing, medical supplies, and household essentials. While immediate food needs have been met, the foundation says families still urgently require medicines, clothing, seeds, fertilizers, and other essentials to rebuild their lives.
In addition, MJF is planning to have medical camps and provide agricultural support.
'Punjabis Have Always Stood by Muslims'
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, currently led by Maulana Syed Arshad Madani, is an organisation founded in 1919 that actively participated in India’s freedom struggle. Mufti Abdul Raziq, general secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Delhi state, said the organisation collected funds for food, relief materials, animal fodder, tents, tarpaulin, utensils, and buckets. Through announcements at mosques, they encouraged the community to donate.
"We do it for humanity, and we don’t care about their religion," he said.
"Our president made an appeal, and all our branches got to work. Right now, we have gathered enough supplies to meet immediate needs,” Mufti Abdul Raziq said.
“Once the floodwaters recede and we assess the full extent of the damage, we will have a clearer understanding of what additional aid and development support will be required.”
Punjab is not only receiving support from North India but also from Mumbra in Maharasthra, often called "India’s largest Muslim ghetto". Mohammad Khan, 25, a social activist with the youth-led Yakeen Foundation based in Mumbra, said, "Punjabis have always stood by Muslims and India," Khan said. "Now it is our turn to show our gratitude. We felt we had to step up and support them in their time of need."
He added that their campaign raised around Rs 10 lakh in just four days. "We are working closely with the Shahi Imam (of Ludhiana), and we will visit Punjab soon. With their help, we will ensure that every rupee and every relief item reach those who need it most," he added.
Punjab is also receiving heartfelt support of Muslims from small towns in Rajasthan. On the route from Ganganagar to Bikaner lies Sattasar, a small town predominantly inhabited by Muslims, most of whom depend on labour work and rain-fed farming of millet, mustard, and peanuts for their livelihood.
Despite limited means, the youth of Sattasar have come together to collect rations and supplies for the flood victims in Punjab. Families contributed flour, grains, oil, and other essentials, pooling in whatever they could mobilise.
Socially and financially modest households took pride in giving quietly without seeking recognition to mark their solidarity with those suffering in Punjab.
From Mewat to Banat, Mumbra to Sattasar, these collective efforts show that during times of crisis, humanity transcends religion, region, and social status. Ordinary people, through small and large acts of kindness, are making a tangible difference, bringing hope and relief to flood-stricken Punjab. At a time when the Hindutva politics of the BJP is sowing seeds of hatred among communities, the two most prominent minorities of India—Sikhs and Muslims—coming together proves that solidarity and compassion can overcome division and fear. Their unity offers a powerful reminder that in moments of shared suffering, empathy and collective action can shine brighter than any political agenda.
(Nishtha holds a degree in politics and international relations from SOAS, University of London and Harinder is a PhD student at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.)