The Marshall University United States Muslim Student Association (MSA) organizes a charity event to provide food for the homeless. MSA hopes the event will become an ambassador for Islam or portray true Islam in West Virginia.
"We're trying to do something for people in need," said Shaheed Elhamdani, Vice President of MSA Marshall University. "We are all American Muslims and we want to help the American community," he added.
In collaboration with the Huntington Muslim Association (MAH), MSA held the event at the Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church at 513 St 10 in Huntington. According to Elhamdanim, the idea for the event came from a group of young women from MAH.
A number of Muslim students, namely Deana Nusair, Amani Zeid, Nihale-Shazley, Sawsan Falaman, and Hala Giblawi, were responsible for collecting donations for the event. They are also responsible for making food preparations.
The event was attended by around 100 homeless people. Huntington, MAH, and MSA Muslim Youth members including, Elhamdani and President Ammar Haffer, volunteered.
Elhamdani said volunteers received a positive response from the homeless. MSA hopes that their charity work will reflect the true nature of Islam. "You see a lot of negative media coverage about Muslims," said Elhamdani.
Elhamdani said, Islam encourages its people to do good and help the poor and needy.
MSA also hosts an awareness week every year in April so that the American public can understand the religion of Islam. MSA plans to hold discussions to discuss issues of Islam and Sharia or Islamic law. (Mel / Onislam.net / ddhongkong.org). *
