West Ridge Groups Help Neighbors Impacted By COVID-19
WEST RIDGE — With West Ridge having one of the largest coronavirus clusters in the state, residents and local groups are making sure their neighbors are equipped to handle the outbreak.
West Ridge’s Refugee Center Seeks Donations, Volunteers
Demand for services at the Refugee Resource Center and Food Pantry is expected to skyrocket because of the virus outbreak. Joe Ward, Rogers Park, Edgewater, Uptown Reporter WEST RIDGE — A charity that helps refugees and other marginalized groups is seeking donations and volunteers to help its West Ridge food pantry serve more families during the coronavirus outbreak.
One Organization's Assistance to Neighbors in Need
By Asma, Neighbor As COVID-19 spreads like wildfire in our communities, low-income families are struggling the most. The elderly are at risk. Self-employed workers see their businesses dry up. This trial is unlike any other of our time for many reasons, most of all, because it affects everyone.
ICNA distribute essentials
Almost the whole world is in the condition of lockdown to contain the spread of the pandemic coronavirus. Due to this lockdown, the people who are below the poverty line are suffering the most. To tackle this condition, the USA organization of Muslims, Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) came forward to help them. Muslims in Houston, Texas organized a drive through system to distribute Groceries, hygienic/household items, and hot meals to people for FREE. THIS IS HUMANITY 😭❤️ pic.twitter.com/Yv1PmQIEsL — StanceGrounded (@_SJPeace_) March 28, 2020 ICNA Relief Chicago is distributing food boxes to those who have lost their jobs, homebound elderly, widows, and other low-income neighbours. ICNA Relief USA strives to build healthy communities, strengthen families and create opportunities for those in despair while maintaining their dignity and advocating for their basic human needs. During the COVID-19 crisis, ICNA Relief has been on the frontline helping serve the community. They have been providing door to door deliveries to the elderly and vulnerable, food distribution in impoverished neighbourhoods, and hot meals for picks across Long Island. Driss Rarhai (66), who used to collect the essentials from ICNA office on every Friday, this time the ICNA team, reached him to give the food packets. This help is reaching to all people, irrespective of their religion. Article Courtesy: siasat.com
USCMO Holds Coronavirus Crisis Teleconf. for Leaders
(Washington, D.C., 3/26/2020) — The U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations convened its first National Muslim Leadership Teleconference on the Coronavirus Covid-19 contagion’s impact on the Muslim community on March 21. Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Andre Carson (D-IN) participated along with 113 organizational leaders.
Maya Cosmetics to donate 400 kits of personal care products to ICNA Relief
COVID-19 has brought life as we knew it to a stand still. It has also provided companies committed to corporate social responsibility impetus to ramp up their efforts. Bridgeview, Ill., based Maya Cosmetics (www.maya-cosmetics.com) reached out to Chicago-based ICNA Relief, a local nonprofit, to ask how they could help. The result is a donation valued at $3,500 comprising personal care products for families in need, including Vaseline, body wash/shampoo, deodorant, mouthwash, nail clippers, tweezers, nail file, a comb, and toothbrush. Volunteers will assemble 400 kits on Friday, March 27, at Maya Cosmetics headquarters, 7633 W. 100th Pl. Bridgeview, IL 60455 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The items will be delivered on Tuesday morning, March 31, to ICNA Relief Food Pantry, 1781 Bloomingdale Road, Glendale Heights, IL 60139. “As more and more of our neighbors lose jobs or see their businesses being impacted, the need to be our brother’s keepers is more urgent than ever before,” says Javed Younis, president, Maya Cosmetics. “At Maya Cosmetics, we do our best to incorporate these values into our day-to-day business dealings. Corporate Social Responsibility is not about distinguishing ourselves from the competition but rather just being a responsible organization that gives back to the community consistently. It’s about being human and living our Islamic faith. These are all matters we have to answer to (God) about,” he says. “Toiletries are necessities and rarely offered by food pantries, making Maya Cosmetics’ kits even more valuable, especially in this crisis,” said Dr. Saima Azfar, Director, Islamic Circle of North America Relief (ICNA Relief) Chicago. “We are so grateful to organizations like Maya Cosmetics. We need all the donations possible.” ICNA Relief (icnarelief.org) serves thousands at its pantries in Chicago and Glendale Heights. Giving back — a muscle that grows the more you use it Maya Cosmetics (www.maya-cosmetics.com), makers of halal nail polishes and beard care products, is America’s leading halal cosmetics company with distribution in 43 countries. “These efforts were part of our Islamic upbringing originally rather than just a part of our corporate mission. My late father was one of the most-selfless people and always taught me that if I was able to help someone in need, I should just do it,” says Younis. Besides financial donations to charities and nonprofits, the company sponsors Iftar, the meal at sunset during the Islamic month of Ramadan, for several hundred people each year. Maya Cosmetics also makes a conscious effort to source ingredients from fair-trade suppliers around the world. Approximately 20% of ingredients in nail polish remover and 40% in beard grooming products are sourced under fair trade. For instance, one of their ingredients, almond oil, is purchased from Palestinian farmers at fair trade prices, giving suppliers and independent farmers a sustainable livelihood. Further, Maya Cosmetics has created custom products at wholesale prices for fundraising efforts for organizations like KBK Relief Foundation that supports indigent women around the world. Donations were made to Susan G. Komen and HugABaby Campaign in South Africa based on sales of particular products in particular countries. “These were requests our customers brought to us,” Younis said. “Corporate social responsibility, business ethics and philanthropy are crucial in running Maya Cosmetics as a business.” Article Courtesy: dailyherald.com
One Organization's Response to Assist Neighbors in Need
As COVID-19 spreads like wildfire in our communities, low-income families are struggling the most. The elderly are at risk. Self-employed workers see their businesses dry up. This trial is unlike any other of our time for many reasons, most of all, because it affects everyone.
Notre Dame Fire: Letter from Sh. Khan to Cardinal Cupich
April 16, 2019 – Shaykh Abdool Rahman Khan, co-chairs the National Catholic Muslim Dialog with Cardinal Blase Cupich. Below is the letter he wrote expressing his thoughts on the burning of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Billboard campaign in Dallas on Hijab misconceptions
By STELLA M. CHÃVEZ, Texas Public Radio Ruman Sadiq says the current political climate has led to misperceptions of Muslim women. That’s why she hopes a new six-week billboard campaign will encourage people to call and ask questions about the hijab, or head scarf.
