On Sunday February 25th 2018, a non-profit organization called "200 Muslim Women Who Care" held a bingo night to promote their cause. 200 MWWC was founded by two proactive women in our small Muslim community in Tampa, Dima and Farah. These women knew that it was about time misconceptions directed towards Muslims and Islam are to be validated and shut down. Often times, women are under looked and degraded for speaking up, however with an organization as powerful as this, nobody can refute it's purpose. 200 MWWC welcomes Muslim women of all different backgrounds whether they are married or single, black or white, young or old, even if they are converts to promote change and organize and strengthen a platform for Muslim women to have a voice. An organization like this was created to promote kindness, generosity, and diversity. They donate to different causes whether it be for juvenile delinquents, pregnant women unable to support themselves or their child, providing an education for the disabled, and even preventing drug use within our community. 200 Muslim Women Who Care is breaking the glass ceiling and has opened doors for many. Hearing the background really inspired the over 200 Muslim women in the room to be the change they wish to see in the world. Together we are stronger than we are apart. The Prophet Muhammad SAW once said, "The believers, in their mutual love, mercy and compassion, are like one body: if one organ complained, the rest of the body develops a fever."
200 Muslim Women Who Care
An Unexpected Storm!
"Why did you evacuate your home?"
The decision to leave my home prior to the impact of Hurricane Irma was not at all an easy one. I had to contemplate for many days before making that choice. Irma was reportedly fluctuating between a powerful Category 4 and a category 5 hurricane in its intensity. After ravaging through the Caribbean, it was expected to impact South Florida Sunday morning; hard!
My biggest challenge and inevitably my deciding factor during that time was making sure that my mother who is chronically ill is safe and out of harm’s way. I needed to ensure that she constantly had access to electricity, air-conditioning, any medical attention if need be. I was informed by my mother’s social worker that the USF Dome was going to be converted into a shelter which had generators, bedding and staffed nurses for people who need extra care like my mother does.
"What was your experience during Hurricane Irma?
When I first entered the shelter I was shocked, very uncomfortable, and truly afraid. It is not an easy thing to be surrounded by seven-hundred strangers, who not only did you have to eat with, sleep near, and use the same facilities with, but I also instantly felt like a minority being the only Muslim there. After I allowed the anxieties, fears and doubts to subside, I took the time to really explore my surroundings and analyze the situation; what I saw was a group of people, sharing the same fears, worries, and discomforts that I felt. However, I realized that unlike them, I have the blessings of Allah (SWT) in my life, which these other less-fortunate people didn’t have. Most of these people were elderly people who were abandoned by the ones who are supposed to care for them during times of hardships.
I thought to myself how can this be? How can you abandon your own family…your own parents? And suddenly I thought of my favorite verse from the Quran which states, “And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small.’” (Quran 17:24). This verse has carried me though so many hardships that I have endured since my mother’s health has declined, and remembering how the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) greatly emphasized taking care of ones’ parents, and looking after them especially when they are old in age. I looked at all of these seniors and came to the heartbreaking realization that only about 10% of them had a family member who was able to in the USF Dome to care for them.
At that point, I felt that I had two choices: To sit back and do nothing about this situation, or to volunteer my services with the hopes of receiving the mercy of Allah (SWT) when I am older in age. After mustering the courage to approach the authorities working there, I was relieved and pleasantly surprised that they welcomed the help! Apparently they were short-staffed, so my assistance was quickly accepted. I was excited to get my family involved, so I asked my 5 year old to help me pass out some meals which he thought was very fun! Aside from that, I found myself helping the elders go to the restrooms, I gave them baths, and I even sat with them just to keep them company and help pass the time. Many people were happy to receive this type of help, though some were very hesitant. What disappointed me during this time was a reaction I received from one lady I was waiting to assist. As I was signaling my readiness to aid her, she shouts at me, “I don’t need any help from people of your religion!” As rude as she was, I did not give it anymore attention or thought; I smiled at her, and went straight next person waiting for support.
"What held you back from replying to the old lady's racist remark?"
Allah (SWT) has shown us through the character of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) the perfect model of a companionate, caring, and patient person. He treated everyone; friend and foe, man and woman, young and old, rich and poor, with the utmost kindness and respect. I was not going to dishonor my religion by acting as rude to her as she was to me. The Quran states that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sent as mercy to mankind. If we as Muslims are to honor our beloved Prophet (PBUH), it would be by adopting and following his beautiful character and conduct. I was not going to allow her, or anyone else to take away that dignity by stooping to her level and betraying the teachings of our dear Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
"Did things change during your stay?"
Alhamdulillah, as time passed, a lot peoples perspectives and misconceptions about myself and Islam did change for the better as the storm approached. Many people wanted to know more about Islam, and yes, including the lady who was not very kind to me. People noticed that I wasn’t judging them for who they are, so they started respecting me for who I am. On Sunday morning as we were getting ready to leave the shelter, everyone began to hug me and thank me for the help I was able to provide them by the grace of Allah (SWT). The most interesting thing that happened as I was saying my goodbyes is that the lady who gave me the negative attitude and denied my help actually asked me if she could keep my hijab as a memory! Subhan’Allah, I was thrilled to witness how someone’s heart can change in a moment of acceptance and understanding.
"What lesson can you take from this experience? How can you help others learn from your experience?"
There are so many lessons that I was able to walk away with from that experience. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, and it is planned out from A to Z by the power of Allah (SWT). Observing these people really humbled me, and made me incredibly grateful for not only my family, but for the gift of Islam as well. I am so blessed to have had this involvement because I waked away with wonderful memories, new connections, and a better, more positive outlook on life. I have learned a lot about myself; I like to help the elderly, I can walk away from a negative situation with pride and dignity, and I can withstand any storm with Allah (SWT) by myside!
Hurricane Irma
The National Honors Society (NHS) is an organization that enables high school students to carry and portray the pillars of: scholarship, service, leadership and character. Our very own Falcons are given this amazing opportunity to pave their way to the path of integrity. Being in NHS is more than a title of academic success. It’s a means to open the door for students to want to make a difference.
At UAF our students take part in after school tutoring to provide the help necessary for our younger students. They better improve not only the grades of these elementary kids, but the sense of comfort in each of their hearts. They build bonds with their assigned student to build their confidence in personality and interests, which ultimately impacts their performance in school for the better. The huge yet compatible age gap ensures the building of a bridge for communication and common understanding so each student is able to voice their concerns and opinions. This serves as a privilege for the children being tutored and a learning experience for the NHS students.
Our very own Duha Asfour, Noran Sial and Reeman Alnajar take part in this program and they each said that they learned just as much as the kids they tutored.
Duha told us, “As Secretary of NHS, it is such a great opportunity to help out the elementary students in their troubles with specific subjects. I also get the great opportunity to form ideas to raise funds for organizations like Helping Hands and our nearest clinic, The Red Crescent. We don’t only tutor children, NHS is about the community. We are helping the children of our community to gain the leadership skills and help them with their academics. It is our job, as role models, to influence them to become role models of our school.”
NHS gives our students the chance to help themselves by helping the community. Whether it is tutoring, raising funds, or giving a hand, our students learned that one is never really fulfilled until they are giving back. May they continue to grow and form bigger bonds and a better ummah.