Ibraheem’s DayIbraheem’s DayJan. 8Jan. 8thth 2007 2007An ICNA – HELPING HANDS ProjectAn ICNA – HELPING HANDS ProjectA call to join Social Services on the Muslim A call to join Social Services on the Muslim Platform and be part of the fabric of the Platform and be part of the fabric of the American Society American Society

ObjectivesObjectives

To seek the pleasure of Allah, our RabbTo seek the pleasure of Allah, our Rabb To warm the lives of those less fortunate. To warm the lives of those less fortunate. To share in the bounties of AllahTo share in the bounties of Allah To communicate to the Jews and To communicate to the Jews and

Christians that we believe in IbraheemChristians that we believe in Ibraheem To make opportunity for Dawah To make opportunity for Dawah

conversationsconversations To develop alliances for long-term To develop alliances for long-term

relationshipsrelationships

Why this novelle idea ? Why this novelle idea ?

Muslims have always wanted their own Muslims have always wanted their own platformplatform

We need to lead the INTERFAITH effortsWe need to lead the INTERFAITH efforts We have more similarities to Ibraheem We have more similarities to Ibraheem

(on whom be peace) than the other faiths(on whom be peace) than the other faiths It will bring muslims out in the public It will bring muslims out in the public

squaresquare It will activate the audience of the masjidIt will activate the audience of the masjid

Achievements for Achievements for MuslimsMuslims

Breaking the shackles of the inferiority Breaking the shackles of the inferiority complexcomplex

Changing their image in the public’s eyeChanging their image in the public’s eye Making their peace with their Lord, AllahMaking their peace with their Lord, Allah Cleaning out all extra-stuff in the houseCleaning out all extra-stuff in the house Showing-off their culinary skillsShowing-off their culinary skills Feeding the poor is the best part of IslamFeeding the poor is the best part of Islam

Alliances with Non-Alliances with Non-MuslimsMuslims

Solicit endorsements from various Solicit endorsements from various denominations and churches (NO Cost)denominations and churches (NO Cost)

Tell them it is also free publicity for themTell them it is also free publicity for them Approach the local synagogue and meet with Approach the local synagogue and meet with

the Rabbithe Rabbi Look in the yellow pages or google for the local Look in the yellow pages or google for the local

Domestic Violence Shelter or Homeless Soup Domestic Violence Shelter or Homeless Soup Kitchen in your areaKitchen in your area

May Also approach non-faith based orgs.May Also approach non-faith based orgs. Civic-minded individuals / PhilanthropistsCivic-minded individuals / Philanthropists

Long-Term GoalsLong-Term Goals

Weave muslims as an integral part of the fabric Weave muslims as an integral part of the fabric of American Societyof American Society

Create a network to draw upon in case of Create a network to draw upon in case of national emergenciesnational emergencies

Co-operate and collaborate in future activities Co-operate and collaborate in future activities eg: DV, Homeless, Drugs, Teenage eg: DV, Homeless, Drugs, Teenage Pregnancy, Anti-War, alcoholism etc.Pregnancy, Anti-War, alcoholism etc.

Creating opportunities for Dawah Creating opportunities for Dawah conversationsconversations

Combining with Combining with Membership DriveMembership Drive Increase the number of active volunteersIncrease the number of active volunteers Encourage joining ICNAEncourage joining ICNA Plug people into a national organizationPlug people into a national organization Show-case the talent of the muslimsShow-case the talent of the muslims Increase their Faith and hopeIncrease their Faith and hope Empowerment / EmancipationEmpowerment / Emancipation Introduction to the vision/ mission of ICNAIntroduction to the vision/ mission of ICNA

What is the first Step ? What is the first Step ?

Gather your core-group volunteersGather your core-group volunteers Make presentation to the masjid peopleMake presentation to the masjid people Collect all addresses / e-mails of churchesCollect all addresses / e-mails of churches Send e-mail or letter to the Priests/ Rabbis’Send e-mail or letter to the Priests/ Rabbis’ Get Phone #s from Yellow PagesGet Phone #s from Yellow Pages Make phone-calls for endorsementsMake phone-calls for endorsements Sit-down with committee and make a planSit-down with committee and make a plan

Second StepSecond Step

Rent a storage unit for one monthRent a storage unit for one month Appeal to all muslims for clothes/ toysAppeal to all muslims for clothes/ toys Appeal to all muslims for 1/3 of Zabeeha Appeal to all muslims for 1/3 of Zabeeha

meatmeat Purchase large outdoor stove from Purchase large outdoor stove from

Camping store + gas cylinderCamping store + gas cylinder Book a van for one day – Jan.7Book a van for one day – Jan.7thth, 2007, 2007 Involve YM- Young Muslim girls & boysInvolve YM- Young Muslim girls & boys

Activists’ Tool-BoxActivists’ Tool-Box

ICNA generic Form letter to invite ICNA generic Form letter to invite endorsements / co-sponsorship.endorsements / co-sponsorship.

10 different ads for the newspapers10 different ads for the newspapers 5 radio-ads in American accent for this 5 radio-ads in American accent for this

event.event. 5 canned “Letters-to-the-Editor” to send 5 canned “Letters-to-the-Editor” to send

for FREE publicity.for FREE publicity. Yellow pages to call churches / Yellow pages to call churches /

synagogues, DV shelters, Soup kitchenssynagogues, DV shelters, Soup kitchens

What to do 2 weeks What to do 2 weeks before ?before ?

Start fasting for Zil- Hijjah (10 days)Start fasting for Zil- Hijjah (10 days) Distribute letter “We follow Ibraheem”Distribute letter “We follow Ibraheem” Pack all clothes received in box.Pack all clothes received in box. Finalize the places for distributionFinalize the places for distribution INVOLVE all co-sponsors in meetingsINVOLVE all co-sponsors in meetings Book library room or community center Book library room or community center

for meeting (usually FREE for non-profit for meeting (usually FREE for non-profit organizations.)organizations.)

What to do from Jan.1What to do from Jan.1stst ? ?

Collect meat and freeze in large walk-in Collect meat and freeze in large walk-in coolers (muslim grocery stores)coolers (muslim grocery stores)

Store clothes in the Rental unitStore clothes in the Rental unit Repeat phone-calls to the DV sheltersRepeat phone-calls to the DV shelters Make more alliances (last minute too !)Make more alliances (last minute too !) Ask Imams, Priests, Rabbis to be present Ask Imams, Priests, Rabbis to be present

and to help in distributionand to help in distribution Call / Email local newspaper and TV Call / Email local newspaper and TV

stationstation

Check-List before Check-List before Jummah – Jan.6Jummah – Jan.6thth 2007 2007

Repeat announcements after every KhutbaRepeat announcements after every Khutba Remind all volunteers – girls and boysRemind all volunteers – girls and boys Charge battery on video camerasCharge battery on video cameras Iron your muslim costumes / make badgesIron your muslim costumes / make badges Finalize responsibilities list / transportationFinalize responsibilities list / transportation Unfold banner and encourage all muslimsUnfold banner and encourage all muslims Appeal for more toys, food, clothes, furnitureAppeal for more toys, food, clothes, furniture

Mobilization of forcesMobilization of forces

Keep all cell phones ONKeep all cell phones ON Get the rental vans – on the Saturday PMGet the rental vans – on the Saturday PM Last final calls / email remindersLast final calls / email reminders Boxes of dawah pamphlets / Ibraheem’s Boxes of dawah pamphlets / Ibraheem’s

similarities pamphlets for FREE distributionsimilarities pamphlets for FREE distribution SAFETY meeting ONE night beforeSAFETY meeting ONE night before Discuss liability issues, missing children, Discuss liability issues, missing children,

FIRST AID box, accident prevention etc.FIRST AID box, accident prevention etc.

On Ibraheem’s DayOn Ibraheem’s Day

Make lots of duas for acceptanceMake lots of duas for acceptance Show up early – finish cookingShow up early – finish cooking Empty the rental storage unit.Empty the rental storage unit. Volunteers take up positionsVolunteers take up positions Welcome all the poor peopleWelcome all the poor people Make 3 long tables and linesMake 3 long tables and lines Food, Clothes, ToysFood, Clothes, Toys

Distribution Foto-opsDistribution Foto-ops

Speeches by the 3 religions leadersSpeeches by the 3 religions leaders Speeches by endorsees / co-sponsorsSpeeches by endorsees / co-sponsors Colorful clothes of singing childrenColorful clothes of singing children Fotos of food distributionFotos of food distribution Muslims to mingle with all othersMuslims to mingle with all others Take group fotos with all the homelessTake group fotos with all the homeless Hug the children of the women in DVHug the children of the women in DV

Bannering and TablesBannering and Tables

Allows volunteers to converse with Allows volunteers to converse with visitorsvisitors

Distribution of WHYISLAM pamphletsDistribution of WHYISLAM pamphlets Allow INTERFAITH activitiesAllow INTERFAITH activities Be tolerant of other faithsBe tolerant of other faiths Avoid overt pressure and proselytizingAvoid overt pressure and proselytizing Invite everybody to masjid for OPEN Invite everybody to masjid for OPEN

HOUSEHOUSE

Follow-up Letters of Follow-up Letters of ThanxThanx

Make Excel sheet to facilitate labelsMake Excel sheet to facilitate labels Do not forget anybody (even if they did not show Do not forget anybody (even if they did not show

up)up) Focus on the positives and ask for long-term Focus on the positives and ask for long-term

relationship / alliancerelationship / alliance Offer your help and co-operation for their civic Offer your help and co-operation for their civic

eventsevents Mention God, Muhammad and Ibraheem at least Mention God, Muhammad and Ibraheem at least

3-4 times in the letter3-4 times in the letter Quote 1 ayat and at least 2 hadeeth in the letterQuote 1 ayat and at least 2 hadeeth in the letter

Membership DriveMembership Drive

Make database in excel of all attendeesMake database in excel of all attendees Make separate database of all volunteersMake separate database of all volunteers Hold a pot-luck party in a masjid hall or Hold a pot-luck party in a masjid hall or

community centercommunity center Prepare certificates (authentic) that they can Prepare certificates (authentic) that they can

put up at their work-place cubiclesput up at their work-place cubicles Recognize extra-effort with a plaque (usually Recognize extra-effort with a plaque (usually

able to engrave it at a sports shop)able to engrave it at a sports shop) Introduce ICNA and invite to joinIntroduce ICNA and invite to join

Consolidation of teamsConsolidation of teams

Give a plan for the rest of the year.Give a plan for the rest of the year. Continue feeding poor once / monthContinue feeding poor once / month Use a sub-set for DawahUse a sub-set for Dawah Use a sub-set for civil advocacyUse a sub-set for civil advocacy Use a sub-set for INTERFAITHUse a sub-set for INTERFAITH Use a sub-set for Muslim improvementsUse a sub-set for Muslim improvements Empower the youth – girls and boysEmpower the youth – girls and boys Give everybody some work to doGive everybody some work to do

Post-Mortem MeetingPost-Mortem Meeting

Ja’aizah and EhtesaabJa’aizah and Ehtesaab Enumerate all the good pointsEnumerate all the good points Gather all suggestions for improvementGather all suggestions for improvement No harsh criticisms allowedNo harsh criticisms allowed No name-calling or finger-pointingNo name-calling or finger-pointing Need good notes to rely on for next yearNeed good notes to rely on for next year No rebuttals or defenses allowed against No rebuttals or defenses allowed against

anybodyanybody Involve food at meeting to encourage Involve food at meeting to encourage

attendanceattendance

Evaluate and change for Evaluate and change for next year’s eventnext year’s event

Make resolutions to keep on recordMake resolutions to keep on record Explore opportunities through the whole Explore opportunities through the whole

yearyear Bank on the positive “can-do” attitude of Bank on the positive “can-do” attitude of

the volunteersthe volunteers Since they have done it once, they know Since they have done it once, they know

they have been there and can do it again.they have been there and can do it again.

Repeat again in 2008Repeat again in 2008

Questions ? Questions ? Suggestions ?Suggestions ? Ideas ? Ideas ?

Thankyou for your Thankyou for your patient listening !patient listening !Also, we are grateful for your active Also, we are grateful for your active participation ! May Almighty Allah participation ! May Almighty Allah bless you for your efforts ! AAmeen !bless you for your efforts ! AAmeen !