—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—
JAMAICA, New York (July 27, 2011) – The Islamic Circle of North America invites you to participate with ICNA Relief in its annual Back-2-School Giveaway, a project created to meet the needs of families across the United States.
Many families are under financial pressure; some have lost jobs and find it difficult to buy school supplies for their children. The act of giving to the needy and being a good neighbor is integral to the Islamic faith; through the Giveaway Project, ICNA Relief hopes to both help struggling families provide for their children and inspire the American Muslim community to partake in this fundamental teaching of Islam.
God says in the Qur’an, “Worship God and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the poor, the neighbor who is near of kin, and the neighbor who is a stranger.”
Last year, the Back-2-School Giveaway project helped nearly 5,000 needy children in New York and New Jersey. This year, we are expanding upon last year’s efforts by 300%, increasing our target to help nearly 15,000 children across 13 states and over 25 locations including New York City, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, and Los Angeles. This will be accomplished during the month of August, which also happens to be the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims across the world perform fasting. We urge you to support this cause and bring ease and joy to the lives of thousands of families. Help our ICNA volunteers prepare and gave away over 15,000 book bags filled with school supplies such as pens, pencils, notebooks, rulers and markers. Shahid Farooqi, a New York volunteer for the Giveaway said “We all want our kids to have everything they need when they go to school. But when it comes to others’ kids, we can help them out as well. All we need is your support and time.”
Despite the growth of poverty and need, Americans can join together to help struggling families overcome these hurdles. The Back-2-School website states a proverb “Let not there be a child without the tools for a good education”.
To view the Giveaway locations and volunteer visit: http://www.back2schoolgiveaway.com
ICNA Relief is the social services branch of the Islamic Circle of North America, a leading American Muslim organization dedicated to the betterment of society through the promotion of Islamic values. ICNA Relief’s projects include women’s housing, hunger prevention, family counseling, medical aid, emergency financial support and funeral and burial assistance. For more information on ICNA Relief please visit http://icnarelief.org
