altmuslim
Those that Serve, then Rise
Homes are decorated, clothes are purchased and social gatherings are at their peak in the holy month of Ramadan, not just in the United States, but across the world. But the resources and experiences that we take for granted are the very assets deprived to others. For them, Ramadan is a challenge on multiple levels. There are those that work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring relief to such people: Refugees, orphans, women who have suffered domestic abuse, the homeless and disenfranchised. For two weekends I was the guest of ICNA Relief, and they took me on a tour to visit their projects onsite: Food pantries, free clinics and shelters. Pictured here is Br. Shabbir, ICNA Houston’s head coordinator distributing foods to a variety of people hours before Maghreb. People pour in at the last minute, and sometimes the supply is there and other times it’s not. One of the benefits of depriving oneself of food, water and relations is that it creates empathy for others and hopefully moves us to want for them what we want for ourselves.
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