Publish date26 May 2015 - 14:55
Story Code : 192825

ICNA Convention: Muslims Volunteer, Dispel Myths

Returning to Baltimore for America’s largest Islamic convention, Muslim volunteers are working hard to offer support to elderly and homeless families in riot-torn blocks, in a bid to dispel misconceptions about Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
ICNA Convention: Muslims Volunteer, Dispel Myths

"We do this because we are Muslim," Karim Amin, president of the Muslim Social Services Agency of Baltimore (MSSA), a social services organization that focuses on urban areas, told Baltimore Sun.

"I'm hoping doing these services will dispel myths."

Amin’s organization was cooperating with ICNA Relief USA's Transitional Housing Network for Women, in efforts led by the network’s national director Malika MacDonald.

MacDonald’s visit to Baltimore is not the first.

The Muslim activist came to the same state one month ago to offer help and distribute food and hygiene goods to elderly residents living on riot-torn blocks.

MacDonald recalled the story of a homeless family the group met while handing out "blessing bags", sharing how a 4-year-old girl opened hers and let out a squeal of excitement on receiving her first toothbrush.

"It was eye-opening to some of the severe poverty that exists here," MacDonald said.

MacDonald returned to Baltimore this week, not only to attend the annual convention of the Islamic Circle of North America, (ICNA) as an attendee and speaker, but also to continue the charity's work in the city.

The theme of this year's 40th ICNA-MAS Annual Convention, running from May 23-25 at the Baltimore Convention Center in the heart of downtown Baltimore, aims to provide the information for fellow Americans to understand Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) universal message of peace and love and his role in building the foundations of a movement devoted to truth and social justice.

"I don't feel comfortable in my life when I know others are suffering," MacDonald said.

Arriving at the convention center, she bustled around a room stacked with more food and supplies that were to be distributed Sunday to Baltimore's homeless.

Volunteers from the 20,000-attendee convention handed out about 400 "blessing bags" with dental kits, juice, oranges, water, cereal bars, soup, and food donated by Whole Foods, in areas between Madison Street and the Fallsway.

As the convention concludes today, ICNA president, Naeem Baig, said the theme was shifted from focusing on the connection between faith and service this year to a theme focusing on the Prophet Muhammad after January’s Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris that left 12 dead and ignited a global debate on freedom of expression.

Naeem Baig, president of ICNA, said the theme was shifted from focusing on the connection between faith and service this year to Prophet Muhammah after January’s Charlie Hebdo attack.

"We were being asked why Muslims feel angry when someone makes fun of the Prophet," Baig stated.
The group hoped to use its convention and a new educational campaign called #WhoisMuhammad to educate people about the the true teachings of the Prophet and the Islamic faith.

"The stereotypical image of the Prophet is not what we are taught or preach," and perceptions persist about Muslims persecuting women and lacking tolerance, Baig offered.

Acknowledging that perceptions persist about Muslims persecuting women and lacking tolerance, Baig stated, "The Islam we know or practice is totally different from that image. Our Islam is a commitment to God and … treating all human beings as equals.

"When you look at the life of the Prophet, his faith and commitment to God, and service to society, we must convey that."

Moreover, ICNA kicked off a campaign last January to fund a 50 billboards advertising campaign across the US, carrying messages such as, "Muhammad always taught love, not hate; peace, not violence."

Thirteen of the campaign's billboards are up so far, including three in Baltimore.

The ICNA-MAS convention, open to the public and people of all faiths, aims to offer experts' views on economics, finance, social work, child psychology, law and education, and includes workshops and sessions on family issues.

Travelling from across America to attend the convention, many Muslims praised the message given at the three-day event as offering a spiritual revival.

"It's a great learning experience," said Humaira Uddin, 18, who traveled to the convention with her family from Ashburn, Va.

Drawing parallels between negative attention drawn to the city by recent news events and that of her own faith, MacDonald's participation in this year's event was sparked by a compelling need to provide aid.

MacDonald explained that she considers helping the needy at home in the US "a religious obligation."
"It is our faith that compels us to do this, particularly at this time. It shows what true Islam is," she concluded.
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