Muslim Day serves vulnerable Americans

From OnIslam.net

MINNEAPOLIS – Serving their community, Muslims in north Minneapolis are extending a helping hand to the needy and vulerable Americans in a new bid to develop a better understanding of their faith.

“Coining it the ‘Day of Dignity’ really says a lot and sums up what we’re trying to do — is be of service to the community,” Makram El-Amin, the Imam at Masjid An-Nur mosque in North Minneapolis, told KARE II website.

Standing ready for help, several local Muslim organizations, along with Masjid An-Nur, helped put on the event.

The Muslim program, Day of Dignity, which went nationwide seven years ago, aims at serving homeless and vulnerable Americans, whether Muslim or not.

It is part of a nation-wide effort to serve more than 20,000 homeless and people in need in 15 cities throughout the United States.

People receive health screenings, free food, and a variety of goods depending on their particular city.

In Minneapolis, about one thousand men, women and children came to the event for free food, clothing, entertainment, bathing supplies and medical, job and housing advice.

“It’s really is giving back to the community, what they say to us often this is what they need,” said Kamillah El-Amin, one of the local organizers.

Well-known hip hop artist Brother Ali was among the event’s featured entertainment.

Though there are no official statistics, the US is believed to be home to 7-8 million Muslim.

Bridge Differences

By serving the poor and the needy, Muslim residents are sending a message of hope and unity to bridge differences.

“It really is an expression of our faith tradition, which I think we share in common with other faith traditions — to really be of service to humanity, to mankind and the fundamental belief that everyone should be able to live a dignified life,” Makram El-Amin said.

Reaping the fruits of these events, the outreach was regarded as a way to help people to better understand Islam.

For Nell Davis, a mother of five, it was a profound opportunity to get ends meet for her family and other needy people in the community.

“[We’ve] had to overcome a lot, so this is a big help,” Davis said.

Since the 9/11 attacks, US Muslims have complained of discrimination and stereotypes because of their Islamic attires or identities.

Despite the frenzy, they seized the opportunity to introduce a true message of Islam, through activism.

Extending new bridges into the community, new groups were established, such as American Muslim Voice, founded by Samina Sundas of Palo Alto.

There is also the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which was founded to help Muslims engage with their neighbors in civic life.