More Muslims participating in CAIR’s charity campaign

[sonz]

More U.S. Muslims are participating in this year’s charity campaign by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), The Contra Costa Times reported.

CAIR launched a summer-long campaign, called “Muslim Care”, to promote volunteerism, help the needy and improve community health awareness and youth activities.

Charity is a core value, or pillar, of Islam. Every Muslim is obliged to pay "Zakat", a payment of 2.5% of his/her wealth to benefit the poor.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "The upper hand (of giving) is better than the lower hand (of receiving).”

"We want to encourage them (Muslims) to go beyond their mosques and their comfort levels and truly practice the religion," said Rabiah Ahmed, CAIR communications coordinator.

In Sacramento, the Islamic rights group organized four visits to homeless shelters to provide food and basic supplies. In Orlando, Fla., volunteers will host a community-wide picnic. In Columbus, Ohio, Muslims are organizing a school supplies drive for underprivileged children. In Cincinnati, they're hosting a public health fair that includes physician counseling and screenings for cholesterol and high blood pressure.

"We have a lot of doctors in our community, so in terms of providing a much needed service, it's something we need to be doing," CAIR-Cincinnati Director Karen Dabdoub said.

"It's very important for us to let our American neighbors and co-workers see that giving back to our communities is an important part of our religion and is something that we're eager to do," Dabdoub said.

CAIR says that more Muslims are willing to get involved in community social services this year to counter negative perceptions about Muslims and the Islamic religion.

The charity campaign “helps with the image issue. We find that Americans tend to change their attitude when they see Muslims engaged in service work and not just foreign policy,” said Ahmed, CAIR’s communications coordinator.

Dian Alyan, an outreach coordinator for the Muslim Community Association in the San Francisco Bay area, also says that Muslim charitable activities will help change the way Americans perceive Muslims.

"You can talk about the beauty of Islam until the end of time, but if you're not doing something tangible, then people will always say, 'Where are the Muslims?'", said Alyan, who is also a founder of the GiveLight Foundation, which aids orphans in Banda Aceh, Indonesia.

Those who wish to take part in the “Muslim Care” campaign can visit CAIR’s website:http://www.muslims-care.org, where they will be able to download a toolkit containing information about how to become a volunteer as well as some suggestions on volunteer activities such as blood drives, health awareness fairs and student tutoring.

CAIR, the U.S.'s largest Muslim advocacy group, has 31 offices and chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada. Its mission is to improve the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil rights, help American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

AlJazeera

[HeiGou]

More U.S. Muslims are participating in this year’s charity campaign by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), The Contra Costa Times reported.

You know I don't want to be snarky about this, but "more" compared to what?

I do a quick search of projects involving Muslims,

1. UMMAH (United Muslim Movement Against Homelessness) distributes food to the needy most weekends in Mnahattan and other locales in NYC. We need help, also in outreach.

Where: New York City. Time is appx and please call or email for details.

Contact: UMMAH, Musa Abdulsalam

2. Blood Drive co-sponsored by the American Red Cross, CAIR-AZ and the Islamic Community Center of Tempe.

Date: 6/24/2006

Where: Islamic Community Center of Tempe (ICC) 131 E. 6th St. Tempe, AZ 85281

Contact: CAIR-AZ, American Red Cross, ICC, Bushra Khan

3. IMANA ANNUAL HEALTH FAIR

IMANA (Islamic Medical Association of North America )north Dallas chapter is holding its Annual Health Fair on June 3rd from 10am to 2pm. There will be free health screenings, blood tests, mammograms, bone density tests and Immunizations. Volunteers and donations are requested.

Date: 6/3/2006 through 6/3/2006

Where: Richardson Masjid Multipurpose Hall, 840 Abrams Rd. Richardson, TX

Contact: IMANA (Islamic Medical Association of North America)

[972-231-5698.]

4. FREE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR UNINSURED

Physicals, Prescriptions, Blood Pressure, etc. Every Sunday, 2:30 PM – 5 PM.

Where: ISGH Masjid Abu Bakr Siddique at Old Galveston Road (South East Zone)

5. PROJECT DOWNTOWN

History In March 2006, a couple of Muslim students decided to implement an idea they had. They began with distributing a few bags of food to the local homeless and soon established a growing project. The homeless downtown asked the students who they were and why they had come to bring them food. The students reply was that of Chapter 76 verse 9 of the Quran:

Where: Downtown Miami and Downtown Tampa: Go to Website for more details!

Contact: Project Downtown

[Website] [Email]

6. FEEDING THE HOMELESS

Islamic Community of South West Florida feeds the Homeless every second Monday of the month.

Where: Genisis Center, Port Charlotte,FL

Contact: ICSWF, Samar Jarrah

7. HELP THE HOMELESS

The Muslim community of Atlanta helps the homeless in Downtown Atlanta. The organizers of this effort are seek assistance in the following areas: a. Individuals to cook food b. Donation of clothes c. Volunteers to help distribute food and clothing d. Financial donations

Date: 1/1/2005 through 12/31/2005

Where: Outside Masjide Al Jami 105 Broad Street Atlanta, GA 30303 Every Sunday

Contact: Muslim Communit of Atlanta, Rafiq

8. MUSLIM COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE

On a typical day, 1500 blood donors are needed to meet patient’s needs in the Chicagoland area. Blood is needed to save the lives of people undergoing surgery for trauma, for heart disease, for persons suffering from bleeding disorders, for patients with severe burns and for patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. If every eligible donor would give-the-gift-of-life only 2 times annually, there would never be a blood shortage in Chicagoland. Each unit of blood donated potentially saves three lives. Requirements: 18+ years of age, 100+ lbs in weight, have not donated in the last 2 months, have no significant health problems, and have not traveled to Asia or Africa within the last 12 months.

Date: 6/17/2006 through 6/18/2006

Where: Place: MCC [4380 N. Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60641], Time: June 18, Sunday 9am-1pm | Place: ISNS/Islamic Society of NW Suburbs [3890 Industrial Ave, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008], Time: June 17, Saturday 9am-2pm | Place: Downtown Islamic Center, Time: (TBA) | Place: Mosque Foundation, Time: (TBA) | Place: American Islamic ASSN [8860 West St. Francis Road, Frankfort, IL 60423], Time: June 18, Sunday 1pm-5pm

Contact: Compassionate Care Network (CCN), CAIR Chicago, MCC, American Islamic ASSN, Mosque Foundation Downtown Islamic Center ISNS

9. FREE CLINIC

Free clinic run by Muslims on a masjid property on Saturdays between 10:00 a.m.- 2:00p.m. Needs physicians volunteers for primary care delivery (by any physician).

Where: 1605 West Davison, Detroit, 48238

Contact: Huda clinic, Jukaku Tayeb

10. FEED THE NEEDY

CAIR-Ohio, Columbus office coordinates volunteers to prepare and serve meals to feed 100-200 people in the local homeless families shelter (YWCA Family Center) on the second Friday of each month.

Contact: CAIR-Ohio, Columbus office, Adnan Mirza

11. THE DINNER PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS WOMEN

On the second monday of every month from 4:00-7:00PM Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center Outreach Committee will sponsor Muslim Monday At the Dinner Program for Homeless Women. This is an ongoing program to help the homeless and get out the da’wah, so if you are unable to join us this month, please come another time.

Date: 6/12/2006

Where: Located at the First Congregational Church, 945 G St. NW (Corner of G and 10th) Washington DC

Contact: Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center, A

That's all I could find. Is CAIR really much more than a press office?