Detroit's Muslim community joins Jewish groups to help with Mitzvah Day

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For several of the past 18 years, Metro Detroit’s Jewish community has provided hundreds of volunteers to make sure clients are served, while giving many Christians a chance to enjoy all or part of Christmas with their families.

This year, nearly 900 Jewish volunteers plan to pitch in.

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This year, for the first time, the region’s Muslim community is collaborating with the Jewish groups.

“There is a mandate from our holy book, the Quran, that speaks of encouraging cooperation in doing good,” said Victor Ghalib Begg, chairman of the Warren-based Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan.

“Taking the religious mandate, it doesn’t matter who we work with.”

By working with the Jewish Community on their Mitzvah or “good deed” Day, “we achieve dual objectives: to help the Christians on Christmas, and at the same time, build friendships with our Jewish cousins,” Begg said.

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