In preparation for Ramadan, close to 90 young adults brought their idealism and energy to Zakat Foundation of America Teahouse on June 20 in Chicago to discuss and find ways to attack the race and class divisions among Muslims.
Amal Ali, Director of Service-Learning and Community Engagement for Zakat Foundation of America, spoke about the unifying bond between Muslims regardless of skin color, language or gender, and at Ramadan that unity can be stronger than ever.
“Donating to sponsor an iftar to a masjid in a low-income neighborhood is great,” Ms. Ali said, “But I want to encourage each of you to also visit those communities and break your fast with your brothers and sisters who may be struggling. It is in the spaces of human struggle where we find God.”
Ms. Ali invited those present to meditate on the hadith that says,
Verily, Allah will say to his servant when He will be taking account of him on the Day of Judgement, 'O' son of Adam, I was hungry and you did not feed me.' He will answer: 'How could I feed you? You are the Lord of the worlds!' He will say: 'Did you not know that my servant felt hunger, and you did not feed him. Alas, had you fed him you would have found that (i.e. reward) with Me."
Usama Canon, Founding Director of Ta’leef Collective, a San Francisco-based non-profit focused on assisting converts to Islam and creating healthy social and sacred spaces, shared personal and historical stories about overcoming the challenges of racial and class inequalities.
The young people assembled channeled their activist spirit into a variety of ongoing food security efforts such as the #Zakat Foundation of Americafeed5K campaign to feed 5,000 meals in feeding centers this summer, and the Livestock Gift program to promote self-sufficiency and access to education for families around the world by giving them dairy animals.
Zakat Foundation of America Teahouse gatherings promote a culture of compassion by celebrating Muslim traditions of empathy and social justice. Each program highlights a different social issue such as food justice, forced migration or human trafficking and offers activism opportunities onsite and in ongoing projects in their communities.
To bring Zakat Foundation of America Teahouse to your community or join the #Zakat Foundation of Americafeed5K movement, contact Zakat Foundation of America today.