This big-hearted Muslim businessman has voluntarily disinfected a Christian cathedral and is now planning to do the same for a synagogue as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Mustapha Ouaich, 49, and his team disinfected Saint Rombout’s cathedral in Mechelen, Belgium, saying he made the decision after he was asked to disinfect the largest mosque in Antwerp, Belgium.
He told local media: “I came up with the idea to do the same for other religious buildings, such as a church and a synagogue. A religion is a religion. We are all human beings and yet we all believe in the same God. As Muslims, we must respect all religions. That is our faith.”
Oauich is CEO of Fenair, an airport baggage and cargo handler and his team has begun using the disinfecting machinery they bought for use at the airport for other buildings.
He told local media: “At the moment we do not handle baggage from passenger flights, but at Liege Airport the work for handling goods transport has tripled. A lot of face masks arrive at that airport.”
He told local media: “Normally a lot of cargo is also carried on scheduled flights. Practically no one sees it, but pallets of goods go with it on every flight.
“That’s why we disinfect the buildings three times a day, after each shift. We invested in expensive machinery and products which we now also use for other buildings. “
Ouaich wanted to do something in his own city and so he got in contact with the administrator of the cathedral, Bram Van der Auwera.
He added: “I think it’s an honour that we’re allowed to do this. I came to live in Mechelen 26 years ago, my children were born here.”
The cathedral’s administrator Bram Van der Auwera told local media: “What he’s doing is fantastic. It is very nice to see that the cohesion created by corona is not limited by community, but that there is a nice cross-pollination. We were pleasantly surprised by the proposal.”
All the chairs in the cathedral were disinfected along with the candle holders and the entrance doors
Soon Ouaich hopes to be able to work in a synagogue as well but “without asking for money, but to help”.
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Story By: Delano Langras, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Central European News
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