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Delhi muslims gathered at Jama Masjid rally to fund treatment for child with SMA, raising ₹6.33 crore

A mother pleading for her daughter’s life outside AIIMS sparked a grassroots fundraising drive that moved to the steps of Delhi’s historic Jama Masjid. Young volunteers and worshippers have together collected about ₹6.33 crore for a child diagnosed with the most severe form of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, though the family still needs roughly ₹9‑10 crore for the proposed therapy.

By Open Vaartha Desk ·

What happened

A mother pleading for her daughter’s life outside AIIMS sparked a grassroots fundraising drive that moved to the steps of Delhi’s historic Jama Masjid. Young volunteers and worshippers have together collected about ₹6.33 crore for a child diagnosed with the most severe form of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, though the family still needs roughly ₹9‑10 crore for the proposed therapy. Volunteers and worshippers at Delhi’s Jama Masjid have raised ₹6.33 crore for a child with SMA Type 1, but the family still needs about ₹9‑10 crore for treatment.

TL;DR

Volunteers and worshippers at Delhi’s Jama Masjid have raised ₹6.33 crore for a child with SMA Type 1, but the family still needs about ₹9‑10 crore for treatment.

Key points

<p>The story began on a humid afternoon outside All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in South Delhi, where a distraught mother cradled her infant daughter and begged passers‑by for help. The child, diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1 – a rare genetic disorder that attacks motor neurons and leaves infants confined to a bed – required a specialised treatment that the family could not afford.</p><p>Social‑media influencer Khalifa and a small group of friends happened upon the scene. After learning that the family’s medical bill ran into crores, they chose not to make a single donation but to mobilise a wider audience. They approached other commuters, explained the child’s condition and handed out a QR code that linked to a digital fundraising page.</p><p>What started as a handful of contributions quickly grew into a public campaign. The volunteers took the appeal to the steps of Delhi’s Jama Masjid after Friday prayers, where a predominantly Muslim crowd gathered. Standing before worshippers, they described the child’s plight, displayed printed information and the QR code, and asked for any amount people could spare. According to Awaz‑The Voice, the response was immediate: many donated, others offered prayers and words of encouragement. The campaign, still run by the volunteers, reported that it had raised approximately ₹6.33 crore.</p><p>The family and organisers have said the total cost of the required treatment exceeds ₹9 crore, with Awaz‑The Voice quoting a figure of ₹9.7 crore. The exact treatment plan has not been independently verified through hospital records, and experts note that SMA treatment costs vary widely depending on the specific therapy prescribed. Nonetheless, the reported amount represents a financial barrier the family cannot cross alone.</p><p>SMA Type 1 is the most severe form of the disease, typically manifesting in infancy. Children with the condition experience profound muscle weakness, are unable to sit unsupported, and often require assistance for basic activities such as drinking water. The mother described the emotional toll of watching other children play while her daughter remains largely confined to a bed, saying she longs for the day her child can call her “mother” without the disease dictating every movement.</p><p>The interfaith dimension of the appeal has drawn attention. While the family is Hindu, the majority of donors at Jama Masjid were Muslim worshippers. The volunteers deliberately framed the request as a humanitarian need rather than a religious one, underscoring that compassion can cross the communal lines that often dominate Indian public discourse.</p><p>The story’s viral spread has also prompted caution. A related Hindi report highlighted that several claims circulating on social media – including the exact amount raised and the total treatment cost – have not been independently verified. Potential donors are advised to confirm the beneficiary’s identity, medical documentation, hospital details and the official fundraising account before transferring money.</p><p>As of the latest update, the gap between the ₹6.33 crore raised and the roughly ₹9‑10 crore needed remains. The campaign continues to solicit contributions, hoping that the remaining funds will enable the child to receive the life‑saving therapy, sit up unaided, and eventually play with other children.</p><p>The episode illustrates how a single mother’s plea, amplified by a few socially‑connected volunteers, can mobilise a diverse urban crowd. It also reminds readers that while compassion fuels such movements, accountability and verification are essential when large sums of public money are involved.</p>