Community

Washington, DC: CAIR is urging American Muslims to increase the spiritual benefits of the Ramadan fast by participating in a “United Against Malaria” event on September 5 near Washington, DC.

CAIR, along with other major American Muslim organizations led by United for Change and Islamic Relief, is sponsoring the day-long event that will feature speakers such as Shaykh Muhammad Ninowy, Imam Mohamed Majid, Shaykh Yasir Qadhi, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Imam Suhaib Webb, Imam Siraj Wahhaj, Dr. Fatimah Jackson, and Imam Zaid Shakir.

WHAT: Muslims United Against Malaria
WHEN: September 5, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Gaylord National Resort & Conventional Center, 201 Waterfront Street , Fort Washington, MD 20745
CONTACT: CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor, 202-384-8857, E-Mail: csaylor@cair.com

“Ramadan is not only a time for prayer and fasting, it is an opportunity to strengthen and renew one’s faith through positive actions that benefit society,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. “Malaria is a serious concern in Africa and American Muslims can play an important role in helping to alleviate the suffering caused by this disease.”

United for Change notes that malaria affects some 420 million individuals in Africa annually, resulting in one million deaths. Children under five are among those hardest hit by malaria. One African child dies every 30 seconds as a result of the disease.

CAIR’s participation in the anti-malaria effort is part of its “Muslims Care” campaign, an ongoing program designed to encourage community service by American Muslims.

Muslim communities are being asked to plan new volunteer community service initiatives, to expand existing activities and to report all such efforts to the Muslims Care website. Muslims Care is one response to President Obama’s “United We Serve” initiative and is being coordinated with “Muslim Americans Answer the Call,” a nationwide grass-roots campaign to mobilize American Muslims to answer the call to service.

The data gathered by CAIR and Muslim Americans Answer the Call will be submitted to United We Serve for inclusion in its final report and for recognition on the National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11, 2009.

1. JOIN THE STRUGGLEto ease the suffering of those afflicted with malaria by registering for the United Against Malaria event here. A separate iftar dinner featuring speakers from the event is also scheduled. Register here.

2. PLAN new community service initiatives based on the president’s United We Serve campaign.

“Green mosque” programs to make mosques and other Islamic institutions more energy efficient
Health screenings and health fairs at mosques designed to promote public health awareness and prevention
Individual and group tutoring and literacy initiatives by Muslim professionals for youth and adults
Feeding the homeless and needy at Ramadan iftars
Food and blood drives at mosques and Islamic schools
Visiting the sick and elderly
Educational programs designed to promote entrepreneurial activities and economic recovery

3. EXPAND existing community service initiatives. Many Muslim communities have existing volunteer service programs that are already scheduled to take place this summer. These programs should be expanded and integrated into the president’s United We Serve campaign.

4. REPORTall volunteer community service efforts to Muslims Care for inclusion in the final report United We Serve report and for recognition on the “National Day of Service and Remembrance” on September 11, 2009.

5. BUILD COALITIONS with others carrying out positive volunteer community service projects in your area. You may seek volunteers for your programs or volunteer for service programs organized by others. Go to: http://www.serve.gov/

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