By Muslim Link Staff
Muslims are getting more involved in civic activities to show their support for humanitarian causes. DC Area Muslim leaders, organizations, and youth believe their participation to improve the condition of their local community members is something that has been called upon them to do as Muslims.
Three dozen of the Washington-based Muslim American Society (MAS) Youth DC members recently took part in the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Walk at the Reston Town Center in Reston, Virginia on April 14th, 2007.
The annual MS Walk was sponsored by Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) located in Mclean, Virginia. BAH is a global strategy and consulting firm who has been recognized for its support of the walk for the last decade.
According to Dua’s Elbarasse, the project coordinator of MAS Youth Give, this is the first time MAS sponsored the walk. After participating in this walk, MAS Youth DC has decided they will commit their involvement to other charitable events in order to help raise awareness of some problems such as multiple sclerosis, cancer, and homelessness.
“MAS Youth DC participated in this walk to raise awareness about this devastating disease, and raise some money which will hopefully help to find a cure,” said Elbarasse director of MAS Youth Give Project.
The goal of this walk for Muslim youth was to mobilize American Muslim children and young adults to help create a better society by instilling in them the need for public service and encourage giving to those in less fortunate circumstances.
MAS officials believe their participation in the walk coincides with their motto which is to “aim to serve the Creator by serving his creations.”
According to National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), there are an estimate of 400,000 Americans suffering from the malignant effects of the disease each year.
Although it is not certain what causes the disease, or at what age one can be diagnosed with it, NMSS encourages parents to get their children checked annually for symptoms.
Sources from NMSS said the MS Walk is not just a fundraising event, but a celebration for the entire American community. The donations collected will fund countless national and local programs and services to treat individuals who are diagnosed with the disease and also for research purposes.
Although MAS Youth DC members have to be between the ages of 14-30, most participants brought their younger siblings, cousins, neighbors and friends with them to the walk.
On a cold, gloomy, rainy morning, these children got up out of their warm comfortable beds and carpooled to the Reston Town Center to take part in the half-day activities.
Sumayah Hassan, 20, was one of the brave, enthusiastic Muslims who took her three younger sisters to the walk. As a biology student at George Mason University (GMU) in Fairfax, Virginia, Hassan finds interest in learning more about the consequences of infectious diseases and neurological disorders on the human body. Her interest in the sciences of disease motivated her to influence her sisters to agree to tag along.
“The walk made me realize that we can make so much of a difference by just showing our support for someone who is suffering from an illness or have become victim of a social problem,” said Hassan.
The participants came with their umbrellas, with their toddlers, and elders on wheelchairs, and walked almost 4 miles in 1.5 hours. The organizers collected the funds while the walkers received recognition for their good cause. The event educated the public on the seriousness of the disease and distributed free educational brochures which provided key information regarding its effects.
The NMSS said MS is a disease that may appear one day and it could probably impair one for this rest of one’s life. It is really one of those problems the public must be conscious of, said sources of NMSS.
Hassan wishes more Muslims would come out and support these types of causes. Muslims were such low in numbers, but they were still noticeable and this is the best way to building human relations with people of other faiths.
She envisions Muslim families bringing their parents, and children to events like these. “I believe this is our way of showing to the world when something affects our fellow human beings, we are feeling the pain as well and that we care,” said Hassan.
MAS Youth DC is the division of the Muslim American Society of Washington, DC that deals with young people. MAS Youth Give program originated as a unique project of MAS Youth National and a crucial aspect of the Muhammad Awareness Campaign which started in the DC Area in October 2006. MAS Youth Give is focused on encouraging the motivational efforts of Muslim youth to get involved in projects which help to improve the lives of the less fortunate in society.
