Muslim effort helps homeless on Humanitarian Day

ONTARIO - The increased homeless population in the past couple of years has prompted organizers of Humanitarian Day to bring their event to the Inland Empire for the first time.

Today's event will be hosted by the 2009 Coalition to Preserve Human Dignity, a social network of people, organizations and sponsors.

Humanitarian Day is from 11 to 1 p.m. at Mercy House, 905 E. Holt Blvd. in Ontario

"We chose Ontario because of the growing population of homeless in the area. The location of our event, Mercy House, is but a couple of blocks from the 'Tent City' where so many homeless live," said Fuad M. Dadabhoy co-founder and member of the Board of Directors of UPLIFT Charity, Inc.

Naim Shah Jr, executive director of the Intellect, Love, Mercy Foundation, said, "Our goal is give hope and fulfill a divine obligation to assist the homeless and humanity."

The coalition plans to serve lunch to about 200 homeless people as well as hand out gift bags with water bottles, snack packs, new T-shirts, hygiene kits, toys as well as free health screenings.

Organizers have been planning the event for the past few months, Shah said.

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Humanitarian Day was established 10 years ago to serve the homeless population with a goal to "convert one day into a life's mission," he said.

ILM Foundation founder Imam Saadiq Saafir was asked by hundreds of Muslims after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, what they could do to counter the negative image being portrayed in the media about Muslims, Shah said.

It was then that Saadiq told the Muslim community that they don't have to say anything, rather they need to do something, Shah said.

That something became Humanitarian Day, which has served more than 60,000 people since 2001, he said.

"The essence of Humanitarian Day is not what we serve, but the spirit of dignity and respect in how it is served," Shah said. "Those who are poor have the right to receive the best of our charity and Humanitarian Day is one way it is expressed during Muslims most scared month of Ramadan."

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http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_13270535

Muslim and Christian women participate in peace seminar

MONROVIA – As part of ongoing efforts to sustain peace and stability in the country, more than 150 Christian and Muslim women have participated in a three-day reconciliation and peace-building seminar in Monrovia.

Held at the Sinkor headquarters of the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA), the seminar was also aimed at promoting good governance, justice and the rule of law in the country.

The weekend program was part of a series of similar peace-building and reconciliation programs being held nationwide.

Participants discussed a wide range of issues, including the need for networking and collaboration among them as it related to sustainable women’s contributions to peace-building and development in Liberia.

They also discussed the need for all Liberians to get involved in the rebuilding of the country regardless of their tribal, religious, ethnic, sectarian or other persuasions.

The seminar was held under the auspices of the Christian and Muslim Women of Liberia for Peace, established in 2003.

The group is largely credited for its outstanding engagement and work with other women in the areas of Peace-building, Counseling and Reconciliation throughout the country.

Read the whole article at:
http://www.liberianobserver.com/node/1175