AHMEDABAD: Gujarati Jains have opened the doors of their community center next to the upscale Westgate Mall in Kenya’s Nairobi which is under siege by terrorists for rescue and relief operations.

“The Visha Oswal Community Center in Nairobi has become the hub of rescue relief where over 300 Gujarati volunteers are offering their services to tend to the scores of injured terror victims including Indians, Europeans and from other countries,” said Vinod Jhakariya, who runs transport business in Kenya and is currently offering his services at the center.

Lalit Dhami, vice-chancellor of Tapovan Sanskar Pith on the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar highway, said that the Visha Oswal Community Center has six marriage halls which have been converted into make-shift emergency center where medical treatment is being given to the injured. A media center has also been created at the center.

“Apart from Indians, a big number of Asians and Europeans have taken shelter in the center. We are doing our best to make them feel safe and comfortable by offering hot meals and a decent living arrangement,” Jhakhariya said.

Jhakhariya said that while the Gujarati Jain community is doing their bit and have not ask for help from the government. They have urged the local spiritual Gurus to hold prayer meets wishing an early end to the terror crisis and peace to the tortured souls.

Prakash Pindoriya who runs transportation business in Kenya volunteered his services for the relief operation ever since terror struck the mall on Saturday. “We have been involved in giving first aid to victims who are not grievously hurt and donating blood. The locals do not have much knowledge about blood donation wherein we are helping by collecting community members and facilitating blood donation,” Pindoriya said.

Atul Shah, owner of the Nakumatt chain of stores in Kenya including the Westgate Mall in Nairobi told Mahant Bhagwatpriya Swami of the Swaminarayan Gaadi Sansthan that while the situation was under control, firing was still being reported from inside the mall.