In the Name of Allah The Beneficent, The Merciful

Transcription

1 In the Name of Allah The Beneficent, The Merciful PLANNING Br. Rashid Torrence Br. Zahid Butt Br. M umin Jones Br. Hamza Abdul-Alim LADIES Sr. Syeda Jafri Chairperson Sr. Kendell Quinan Vice Chairperson Sr. Sabira Mazloum Sr. Iman Mazloum Sr. Sara Dhanji Sr. Iffat Gillani Sr. Uzma Butt Sr. Mehjabeen Haider Sr. Laura Dhirani YOUTH LEADERS Br. Rashid Torrence Br. Hasan Torrence Br. Mohamed Al-Saady Br. Waseem Jimenez Bro. Sohail Dhanji Br. Abdullah Butt MAHDI INFORMATIONAL MUSLIMS AGAINST HUNGER DISEASE & INJUSTICE ( MAHDI ) is an Islamic charitable organization established in April 2008, among the members of the Islamic Education Center, in Houston, TX, and other Muslim communities utilizing a modern approach to charity (zakat/sadaqa) as an institution. All funds raised are used to support & expand our poverty reduction initiatives to combat the following social ills in dynamic ways: (i) Hunger we shall seek to alleviate hunger through our Feed the Body & Mind programs; (ii) Disease we shall strive to address illnesses of the body, mind and soul by providing low-cost, medical/mental health services, along with spiritual/religious instruction; and (iii) Injustice we shall struggle to address injustice through peaceful protest (via marches, /letter writing, articles & mass media campaigns) and special projects & programs designed to help reduce the adverse effects of all forms of injustice, including, economic, political & social injustice prevalent in the American society. Thus, MUSLIMS AGAINST HUNGER DISEASE & INJUSTICE is a volunteerbased, grass roots, charitable institution seeking, among other things, to educate the Muslim community & the community-at-large about the problems of hunger, disease & injustice in our society. We encourage all Muslims to get involved in helping the poor and needy living right here in our own backyards, as we know that charity starts at home. Nearly 900,000 people live in poverty throughout Harris County and surrounding areas. Statistics show that on any given day, an estimated 35,000 people are hungry in the Houston area. OFFICERS Moulana Shabbiri Resident Alim Dr. Syed V. Ahmed IEC Board Director of Public Relations Sheikh Farouk Religious Advisor Br. Ahmad Abdus-Sabour Chairman Br. Ahmed Shabazz Vice-Chairman Hajji Saleem Smith Secretary Hajjah Amina Moreno Treasurer Hajji Abdul-Rahim Muhammad Youth Coordinator ADVISORY Al-Haj Hadi Elmi Senior Advisor Al-Haj Sami Hijazi Senior Education Advisor Al-Haj Asim Salim Technology Advisor Al-Hai Inam Naqvi Financial Advisor Al-Haj Adam Kader Capital Projects Advisor Al-Haj Yadollah Hooshmand PR Advisor Al-Haj Tansir Syed IEC Office Manager

2 Informational Page 2 MISSION It is an Islamic tradition to feed and help the poor and needy of our society, and Muslims believe that there are great blessings in doing so. Therefore, the mission of MAHDI is embedded in the Holy Qur an, the Sunnah (Way) of the Holy Prophet and Ahlul Bayt (AS), and in our very name which is to help alleviate hunger, disease and injustice of all kinds, through innovative and dynamic programs that address these social ills of our society. VISION Furthermore, it is the vision of MAHDI to establish Muslim service centers throughout Houston and the US, which would provide poverty reduction programs and services that include: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) soup kitchens, food service trucks & food banks; homeless shelters; medical/mental health clinics; remedial education and job training programs, and advisement / tutoring services for students in middle & high schools. We believe these Muslim service centers, scattered throughout the city and the USA, will help to provide the comprehensive social services needed to reduce, as much as possible, the destructive effects of hunger, disease and injustice in this society. These Islamic charitable initiatives will also help to spread the true message of Islam & establish a more positive image of Islam in the West & around the world. SOURCE OF HONOR & BLESSINGS Although we know that helping Muslims is a priority in any Muslim community, there appears to be little or no organized, concerted effort by any Muslim community in Houston or the USA, dedicated to helping the poor, downtrodden, or permanent underclass members of this society. This is the focus of MAHDI, as it is our duty as Muslims to help the poor and needy whether they are Muslims or not. It is also our duty to educate the believers regarding the many spiritual blessings, personal rewards and various other benefits individuals and the community-at-large, may receive when we serve the poor and needy. Some of the benefits for helping the poor and needy include, but is not limited to: Earning the pleasure of Allah (SWT) by helping others & following the way of the Holy Prophet & the Ahlul Bayt (AS) Fulfilling our Islamic duty to help spread the true message of Islam through service Earning personal satisfaction and fulfillment by helping others Giving back to the society we benefit from by helping to alleviate some of the burdens of the poor and needy Helping to prepare the way for the return of Imam Mahdi (AS), by helping to make his name well-known & synonymous with justice, generosity and good will towards our fellow Man Earn the honor & distinction of being pioneers in the forefront of a new Islamic charitable movement that will sweep across America & enhance the prestige of Islam in the West, while establishing a positive image of Islam. Serving Allah (SWT) by Serving Those Less Fortunate than Ourselves

3 Informational Page 3 CURRENT & FUTURE PROGRAMS I. FEED THE BODY & MIND PROGRAM PHASE I feed the homeless living on the streets of Houston, TX. We currently provide 100 lunch meals to the homeless per week with plans to double that effort- as we receive more support PHASE II prepare & serve cooked meals at homeless shelters. We have prepared and served cooked meals at the Open Door Mission Shelter of Houston PHASE III distribute bulk food items to needy families. Once we acquire adequate storage and refrigeration facilities, we plan to distribute bulk food items to poor and needy families on a monthly basis Although these hunger reduction initiatives will barely scratch the surface in addressing the widespread hunger that exists in the Houston area, we pray to Allah (SWT) that these humble efforts will grow to have a significant impact on addressing hunger in Houston & the US. II. PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS Partnership programs, such as: Houston Food Bank, Open Door Mission Shelter & SHAPE Community Center Food Coop programs not only help to feed the poor and needy, but also create silent dialogue (i.e., dawah without words) & help to bring together diverse groups of individuals to work for a common cause. In doing so, we begin to learn from one another and grow in our understanding of each other. Working together also helps to enhance a positive image of Islam, and establish unity amongst Muslims & non-muslims of diverse cultural & ethnic backgrounds. III. CEMETARY VISITATION PROGRAM MAHDI, in conjunction with the IEC, has established a monthly cemetery visitation program. On the 1 st Saturday of every month, rain or shine, IEC and MAHDI members will alternate between visiting Paradise and Forest Park Cemeteries (a portable tent will be provided for rainy days). By visiting the graves, we are not only praying for the souls of the deceased believers, we are being reminded, on a monthly basis, that life is short and that we too will be buried soon; therefore, we need to make use of our time on earth to purify ourselves and serve Allah (SWT). IV. AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING & MENTORING PROGRAM In the near future, MAHDI will establish a weekend tutoring / mentoring program for the Muslim Community. The focus of these classes will be to empower middle & high school students to succeed in achieving their personal and academic goals. The program will provide homework assistance, test preparation, study skills & counseling in career exploration. In conclusion, Muslims Against Hunger Disease & Injustice depends upon Allah (SWT) for the success of our organization through your generous time, efforts and financial support that fuel our poverty reduction programs & peaceful protest campaigns. Please help us to serve the poor and needy members of our society, living right in our own backyard. Finally, please inform your friends and family who may want to help this cause by making a donation online at: or by sending a check, on behalf of the MAHDI Group, to the Islamic Education Center at: 2323 S. Voss Rd, Houston, TX May Allah (SWT) Bless all of the Believers. Serving Allah (SWT) by Serving Those Less Fortunate than Ourselves

4 a subcom m ittee of M USLIMS A GAINST H UNGER D ISEASE & I NJUSTICE MAHDI Programs for Muslims Although most of MAHDI programs serve non-muslims, since they make up the majority of the poor and needy of the Houston area, MAHDI also provides programs that specifically serve the Muslim Community, as follows: MAHDI Bulk Food Distribution Program for Needy Muslims MAHDI is currently in the design phase of a new program that distributes halal bulk food (rice, beans, flour, sugar, etc) & canned goods to needy Muslim families MAHDI Cemetery Visitation Program MAHDI, in conjunction with the IEC, has established a monthly cemetery visitation program. By visiting the graves, we are not only praying for the souls of the deceased believers, we are being reminded, on a monthly basis, that life is short and that we too will be buried soon; therefore, we need to make use of our time on earth to purify ourselves and serve Allah (SWT) MAHDI After School Tutoring & Mentoring Program assists students in middle school with Math & English, homework assistance, test preparation & study skills (coming soon) MAHDI Cemetery Visitation Program 10

5 Informational Page 4 Preparing Islamic Literature & Food to Deliver to the Homeless a subcommittee of MAHDI Volunteers at the Houston Food Bank 22 MAHDI Volunteers Serving at the Homeless Shelter MAHDI Cemetery Visitation Program