Community and connection has always been at the heart of sisters Basmah and Hareem Qazi’s Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Australia. As they continue traditions since childhood of feasting, family time and exchanging gifts, the daughters of Pakistani immigrants look forward to eating their mum’s delicious biryani today, just as much as they did growing up.
However, as the world continues to experience a profound period of unrest and turmoil, this festive time in 2026 has been clouded by uncertainty and darkness for many children and their families. With this in mind, Basmah and Hareem recently launched The Eid Amanah Project, partnering with the Gaza Australian Program (GAP) to provide Eid gifts to Gazan children living in Sydney. This week, more than 80 gifts provided by donors were delivered to children who had shared their Eid wish list through The Eid Amanah Project.
“When you look around at the state of the world, it’s easy to feel helpless. But the truth is, you hold far more power than you realise,” Basmah tells Draw Your Box. “There are so many small ways to support people who are struggling, and those acts of kindness can have a bigger impact than you might think.”
“For me, giving back during Eid is about remembering the true spirit of the occasion – supporting those in need and not becoming overly focused on what we are purchasing for ourselves,” says Hareem, adding she and Basmah first thought of the idea of The Eid Amanah Project in December last year.
The sisters had seen the work of the ‘Angel Tree’ initiative in the US, where children wrote specific gift wishes and donors fulfilled them.
“When it started going viral on social media around Christmas, we both thought, ‘Why don’t we have something like this for Eid?’,” says Basmah. “By January, we decided to take it seriously and officially launch it to the community.”
The journalist is now a mother herself, and says she felt compelled to take action after reflecting on “how privileged my own daughter is, and how blessed the children around me are”.
“They wake up on Eid to gifts, wear brand-new clothes, and walk away from the day with such beautiful memories. Every child deserves to experience that.”
“What stood out to me most [from the Angel Tree initiative] was the idea that all children deserve to have their wishes honoured on special occasions, not just those from well-resourced families,” echoes Hareem. “From that inspiration, The Eid Amanah Project (EAP) was created to give children the chance to experience the joy of Eid, knowing that their wishes matter and can be fulfilled.”
During the last 10 days of Ramadan, Basmah and Hareem have worked with volunteers and donors to ensure the gifts reached these children. Families were asked to share their child’s three gift wishes via an online form, after which the program matched these wishes with donors based on their budget and capacity. Once purchased, donors either dropped the gifts off at one of the designated drop-off points, or ordered the items online and had them shipped directly to The Eid Amanah Project. Together with their team of volunteers, Basmah and Hareem wrapped each gift and personally delivered them to the families.
To hear more about this initiative in depth, we spoke to Basmah and Hareem earlier this week.
In launching The Eid Amanah Project, why was it important to centre the initiative around children choosing their own gifts?
Basmah: While there are many people in our communities running toy drives – and doing an incredible job – we wanted to approach things a little differently. Children, no matter their background, all have their own wishes, whether it’s a toy car or their favourite Barbie doll, and we wanted to help bring those specific wishes to life.
Hareem: It was important to me that children experienced the fullest joy on Eid by receiving something they truly wished for. When children choose their own gifts, their excitement is genuine because it reflects what their heart was hoping for. It also makes sense from a sustainability perspective. When the gifts are chosen by the children themselves, there is very little chance of donations going unused.
How has the community responded to this initiative?
Basmah: It’s been incredible. Our program launched during the last 10 days of Ramadan, which are some of the most sacred and spiritually significant nights of the entire month. It’s a time when people are deeply focused on worship while also preparing for Eid and making the most of those final days. Despite how busy that period is, every person who signed up to be a donor jumped at the opportunity to help these children. We’re incredibly grateful, because at the end of the day, none of this would be possible without their generosity.
Our family members and friends have also played a huge role in the success of the initiative. From sharing our Instagram page, to spreading the word within their own networks, to connecting us with the right organisations – we truly couldn’t have done it without their support.
Hareem: The response has been incredibly heartwarming. Even now, people are still reaching out asking how they can become donors. I had a lot of faith in the generosity of our community, and they have truly gone above and beyond. Many donors have even asked if they can purchase additional items beyond the child’s wishlist.
Do you have a moment or story from the program that has particularly stayed with you?
Basmah: This particular story isn’t from our program, but this year our initiative is supporting Gazan children living in Sydney. Both Hareem and I met many of these same children at another event run by an organisation called ICAN, and I think Hareem would agree that we walked away from that experience feeling like very different people.
These children, who have endured immense loss and unimaginable hardship, were just like the kids we know. That moment really drove something home for us: the only real difference between us and them is that we were fortunate enough to be born in a country that isn’t under occupation.
The media and governments have dehumanised Gazan people to such an extent that the world often forgets they are just like you and me. It’s a reminder that each of us has a responsibility to ask ourselves, ‘How can I contribute, in whatever way I can, to make their lives a little better?’
Hareem: At the moment, simply seeing the gifts come in has been very emotional for us. Each gift represents someone taking the time to bring joy to a child they may never meet. Knowing that these gifts will put a smile on a child’s face this Eid is a feeling that goes beyond anything money can buy.
How have your professional experiences, and personal connection as sisters, shaped the way you approach this initiative?
Basmah: Working on something like this with your sister actually makes it a lot easier. We can speak openly with each other and have honest conversations about what’s working and what isn’t, without feeling like we need to censor ourselves. We also know each other’s strengths well, so we naturally divided responsibilities based on that.
Hareem: As a teacher, I have seen firsthand how even the smallest moments of joy can make a huge difference in a child’s life. When children feel supported and valued, it often reflects in their motivation to learn, their focus in class, and their social and emotional wellbeing.
At the same time, I’ve seen how difficult circumstances can cause children to withdraw both socially and academically. For many children whose lives are centred around survival, a small but meaningful gift can lift their spirits and remind them that kindness and hope still exist.
Given the current state of the world, do you feel the role of community and connection has become even more important in supporting one another? Personally, where or who have you turned to for support and self-care?
Basmah: I think during times like this, community becomes everything. With the political climate and the rise in Islamophobia, it can sometimes feel overwhelming, but community reminds us that we’re not alone. It’s where we find support, understanding and strength. Personally, I’ve turned to my husband, family and close friends for that sense of grounding, and working on this initiative with my sister has been a really meaningful way to channel that energy into something positive.
Hareem: Absolutely. In times like these, it’s comforting to know there are people who believe in standing on the right side of humanity – people who believe that different cultures and beliefs can coexist with respect and understanding.
Thankfully, my family and close friends share that outlook, and it’s reassuring to know we’re surrounded by a community that supports and uplifts one another.
What are your hopes for the future of the initiative, and how can people in the community support it?
Basmah: Our hope is that the initiative continues to grow so we can reach even more families and children in the years to come. In the future, we’d also love to expand the program to include senior members of our community, particularly those living in nursing homes who may not have many people around them.
The best way to get involved is to follow us on Instagram, sign up to be a donor, and help spread the word. Sharing the initiative with your family and friends makes a huge difference.
Hareem: One idea I’m hopeful about for the future is organising a small Eid al-Adha picnic for children in need — a space where they can come together, have fun, and simply enjoy being children in a safe and joyful environment.
For now, people can support the initiative by becoming donors, spreading the word, or volunteering their time to help us organise and distribute the gifts.
Finally, what does giving back during Eid personally mean to you, and how will you be celebrating Eid al-Fitr this year?
Basmah: Eid is such a beautiful time, and it comes right after Ramadan – a period of deep reflection, gratitude, and generosity. That spirit of giving shouldn’t stop when Ramadan ends, and there’s no better feeling than bringing joy to children and families who are doing it tough.
This year, I’ll be with family, friends and my mum’s biryani! Eid to me is a celebration of community, gratitude and giving. It’s one of those moments that reminds you how important it is to look out for one another.
Hareem: For me, giving back during Eid is about remembering the true spirit of the occasion – supporting those in need and not becoming overly focused on what we are purchasing for ourselves.
For the first time this year, I’m hosting an open-invite gathering at my home on the first day of Eid. I’m really looking forward to bringing people together to celebrate, share food, and enjoy the sense of community that makes Eid so special.
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