Islamic charities scramble to raise money during Ramadan
By Emily Haynes Charitable giving is a fixture at prayers and community meals during Ramadan, but this year, Islamic nonprofits had to innovate quickly to reach donors as they sheltered in place throughout the holy month. Many Islamic charities rely on donations that come in during Ramadan to fund their work for the year.
America’s Blue Plague: Police Violence Against Blacks
By Imam Khalid Fattah Griggs Some images are virtually impossible to expunge from our mind’s eye. Such is the case with the video of an African American man, George Floyd, begging for his life as a White Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, forcefully lodged his knee against his neck for at least five minutes resulting in Floyd’s death.
Muslim charity packs & distributes essentials
By Asma, Neighbor, Apr 7, 2020 ICNA Relief Chicago is distributing food boxes to those who have lost their jobs, homebound elderly, widows, and other low-income neighbors.
City Sees Progress with Social Distancing as Mayor de Blasio Fights COVID-19
NEW YORK—Mayor de Blasio announced today that social distancing measures are helping the City fight COVID-19, according to three indicators tracking hospital admissions for suspected COVID-19 cases, ICU occupants in NYC Health + Hospitals facilities, and percent of city residents testing positive for the virus. “We can’t let the natural desire to go back to normal life interfere with our efforts to defeat the virus,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This is not a battle we can fight alone; the choices ordinary New Yorkers are making at every hour of each day hold the key to fighting COVID-19.” Admissions for suspected COVID-19 cases at hospitals citywide continue to decline. Yesterday, on April 22, there were only 227 admissions citywide. Comparatively, on March 31, there were 850 admissions for suspected COVID-19 cases citywide The daily number of people in ICUs across NYC Health + Hospitals with suspected cases of COVID-19 continues to decline. On April 14, Health + Hospitals was at double its ICU capacity system wide, with approximately 887 individuals being treated in ICUs. That number is now 796. To alleviate the burden on NYC Health + Hospitals, the City has added ICU beds at facilities citywide, and surged military and volunteer personnel across the system. As the City continues to expand its testing capacity, the number of individuals testing positive for the virus at the City’s public health lab increased to 57% percent. The number of individuals being tested citywide in private labs decreased, however, to 33%. You can find these metrics https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-goals.page Additionally, in keeping with the commitment to feed all New Yorkers in need during the COVID-19 public health crisis, the Mayor and NYC COVID-19 Food Czar Kathryn Garcia announced plans to significantly increase the City’s supply and distribution of halal meals during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, which begins today, Thursday, April 23. The City is prepared to serve over 500,000 meals during Ramadan via DOE grab-and-go meals and partnerships with community based organizations (CBOs). As part of this effort, the City will: Increase supply of halal meals at 32 DOE Grab & Go sites across all five boroughs with large Muslim populations by 25% This amounts to 400,000 meals In addition to the 32 receiving this increase, all 400+ sites will continue to have halal meals available Distribute an additional 150,000 meals in multi-meal pantry boxes to nine community-based organizations serving Muslim New Yorkers. These CBOs will then arrange bulk pick-up or delivery for the communities they serve. The community based organizations partnering in this effort are: ICNA Relief Apna/ICNA Relief Al-Madinah Incorporated Muslims Giving Back Muslim Women’s Institute for Research and Development (MWIRD) American Council of Minority Women Arab American Association of New York Council of People’s Organization Yemeni American Merchants Association (YAMA) The full list of school sites with increased Halal meals are listed at schools.nyc.gov/ramadanmeals. To date, the City’s effort to feed all New Yorkers has distributed nearly 7 million meals across multiple programs. Article Courtesy: nyc.gov
Food Boxes Donated to Healthcare Workers
The Islamic Circle of North America Relief organization will distribute 85 meals and food boxes worth $50 each, and thank you cards to healthcare workers on Friday, April 17 at the AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center GlenOaks (701 Winthrop Avenue, Glendale Heights Illinois 60139) from 5 pm to 9 pm.
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.
How to volunteer and donate in New Jersey during COVID-19
As the coronavirus causes real disruption to the lives of New Jerseyans, some residents will be disproportionately affected and many service agencies will be critically impacted.
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.
