California – Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) https://icna.org Outreach, Education and Social Services Fri, 16 Dec 2022 16:22:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://icna.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/favicon.png California – Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) https://icna.org 32 32 Empowerment Summit “The Black Man: Survival in America” https://icna.org/empowerment-summit-the-black-man-survival-in-america/ https://icna.org/empowerment-summit-the-black-man-survival-in-america/#respond Mon, 07 Dec 2020 02:11:17 +0000 https://labssol.com/dev/iccna/?p=32460

ICNA’s Outreach project WhyIslam participated in the virtual summit “The Black Man: Survival in America” by The KJLH radio station. The well organized and popular event was billed as an “Empowerment Summit”. One of the breakout sessions was conducted by WhyIslam. Three speakers from ICNA were Imam Khalid Griggs, Imam Abdul Hafeez, and Noah Seifullah. The panel was moderated by Hafiz Hamza Abdul Tawwab and addressed the issues of being black and Muslim in America. Radio KJLH is Los Angeles’ No 1 black-owned and operated radio station with a musical tradition spanning over 30 years. The Community Station, linking the diverse populations of the Greater Los Angeles area produces the foremost in news and public service programming. View the recording here: For more information visit www.icna.org/dawah]]>

ICNA’s Outreach project WhyIslam participated in the virtual summit “The Black Man: Survival in America” by The KJLH radio station. The well organized and popular event was billed as an “Empowerment Summit”. One of the breakout sessions was conducted by WhyIslam.

Three speakers from ICNA were Imam Khalid Griggs, Imam Abdul Hafeez, and Noah Seifullah. The panel was moderated by Hafiz Hamza Abdul Tawwab and addressed the issues of being black and Muslim in America.

Radio KJLH is Los Angeles’ No 1 black-owned and operated radio station with a musical tradition spanning over 30 years. The Community Station, linking the diverse populations of the Greater Los Angeles area produces the foremost in news and public service programming.

View the recording here:

For more information visit www.icna.org/dawah

]]> https://icna.org/empowerment-summit-the-black-man-survival-in-america/feed/ 0 Patch Holiday Food Drive: Give To Feeding America https://icna.org/patch-holiday-food-drive-give-to-feeding-america/ https://icna.org/patch-holiday-food-drive-give-to-feeding-america/#respond Mon, 30 Nov 2020 18:52:41 +0000 https://labssol.com/dev/iccna/?p=31819

When the pandemic took hold of life in Orange County in March, most people were ordered to stay home. But local houses of worship, food banks, pantries and their team of volunteers didn’t. Instead they stepped it up, feeding residents across Orange County as waves of people faced food insecurity after losing their income when businesses shut down. Utilizing drive-through distributions, they’ve been able to pass out food week after week abiding by safety measures in place to avoid the spread of the virus. Those efforts have been made possible by volunteers who joined them on the ground, risking infection to provide peace of mind for people unsure where their next meal might come from. Some of the volunteers themselves were the same people who lost jobs during the pandemic. “When I look at it from the volunteers point of view, some of them have been furloughed, some of them during the quarantine were locked up and a lot of them as I speak to them … just wanted to be able to find some way to give back,” said Andre Roberson, the president and executive director of the Power of One Foundation told the Voice of OC. “The volunteers are the heartbeat of any nonprofit and during the pandemic, they are the heartbeat of these distributions,” Roberson added. The United Across Borders Foundation has also been holding distributions in the County with the help of volunteers including three turkey giveaways this past weekend. “Without the volunteers, there’s no way that this can happen,” said Olivia Casillas, the Vice President of Operations for the foundation. The Voice of OC has reached out to volunteers from various organizations to share their experiences. Here are their stories: Anna Bautista Anna Bautista, a Garden Grove resident, has been volunteering with the Power of One Foundation during the pandemic almost every day helping one way or another at their warehouse and at their distributions.Bautista said when some people come to their distributions they even ask for a box of food for their neighbors. “I like what Power of One is doing,” Bautista said. “They’re uniting the community because now people are thinking about their neighbor, their community and that is really beautiful.” Bautista is also a beneficiary of Power of One which gives her boxes of food that she distributes at a church in Westminster through her own nonprofit “Hidalguenses En California – Club El Apapacho.” She also receives boxes of food for her family. “I never did community service in my life before so for me this is really humanitarian because I’ve been on the side of people who lost their jobs and didn’t have anything to eat,” Bautista said. Bautista said she knows what it’s like to be hungry. “In 2010 I had to choose between buying food or putting gas in her car to continue working. I met someone at work who would share their lunch so I could fill up her car,” Bautista said. Muhib John Aziz Muhib John Aziz, a Garden Grove Resident, and his family volunteer with ICNA Relief to help those in need. Aziz said they got involved in volunteering after attending a diaper distribution held by the Muslim non-profit to pick up supplies for his little one. “This is the best way for me to take my kids and be a part of it as well. Anytime in general, I can help humanity. I get a good feeling out of it and that’s what keeps me going forward,” Aziz said. “In this time of pandemic, everyone is in a severe need of help and I wanted to come out and show them my support.” He added that as long as he and his family do their part to wear a mask and stay six feet apart from people there is no concern they’ll get the virus. Aziz said it’s always important to make sure people get the food they need to feed them especially during times of disaster. For the volunteer, the purpose is not just about helping but to instill in his children the importance of giving back to the community. “We are here to help humanity, especially those in need and to go out of our way to help our human brothers and sisters,” Aziz said. Joanna Lee Joanna Lee, Fullerton, is a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in Divinity and has been attending Vineyard Anaheim Church for the last two years. The church holds multiple food distributions every week to feed anybody hungry where she volunteers. Part of Lee’s responsibilities is leading the Church’s weekly Saturday distribution at Brookhurst Community Center as well as helping out with their Senior Grocery Delivery program. Lee said that even though the church had to shut down because of the pandemic, their efforts to hold community pantries stood out to her on social media and that’s how she got involved. “When COVID first hit, it was such a time of fear of uncertainty and we didn’t know what was going on,” Lee said “Every time I saw what Vineyard was doing through social media or whatnot, it felt like there was so much hope, and so much light and so I was just attracted and drawn to that.” She added at first that she was not sure volunteering was a good idea given the fact that Lee lives near her parents who are both older than 65. She also said the Church and their volunteers are being careful and following safety precautions at their distributions. “At the end of the day, I didn’t want my fear to stop me from doing what I could to contribute to the restoration of the community and reaching out to those who are more in need than I am,” Lee said “I have a home and I can quarantine at home but there are many who don’t have a place of rest and a place of peace.” Gurmeet Sawhney Gurmeet Sawhney has lived in Orange County for the last 40 years and during]]>

When the pandemic took hold of life in Orange County in March, most people were ordered to stay home.

But local houses of worship, food banks, pantries and their team of volunteers didn’t.

Instead they stepped it up, feeding residents across Orange County as waves of people faced food insecurity after losing their income when businesses shut down.

Utilizing drive-through distributions, they’ve been able to pass out food week after week abiding by safety measures in place to avoid the spread of the virus.

Those efforts have been made possible by volunteers who joined them on the ground, risking infection to provide peace of mind for people unsure where their next meal might come from.

Some of the volunteers themselves were the same people who lost jobs during the pandemic.

“When I look at it from the volunteers point of view, some of them have been furloughed, some of them during the quarantine were locked up and a lot of them as I speak to them … just wanted to be able to find some way to give back,” said Andre Roberson, the president and executive director of the Power of One Foundation told the Voice of OC.

“The volunteers are the heartbeat of any nonprofit and during the pandemic, they are the heartbeat of these distributions,” Roberson added.

The United Across Borders Foundation has also been holding distributions in the County with the help of volunteers including three turkey giveaways this past weekend.

“Without the volunteers, there’s no way that this can happen,” said Olivia Casillas, the Vice President of Operations for the foundation.

The Voice of OC has reached out to volunteers from various organizations to share their experiences. Here are their stories:

Anna Bautista

Anna Bautista, a Garden Grove resident, has been volunteering with the Power of One Foundation during the pandemic almost every day helping one way or another at their warehouse and at their distributions.Bautista said when some people come to their distributions they even ask for a box of food for their neighbors.

“I like what Power of One is doing,” Bautista said. “They’re uniting the community because now people are thinking about their neighbor, their community and that is really beautiful.”

Bautista is also a beneficiary of Power of One which gives her boxes of food that she distributes at a church in Westminster through her own nonprofit “Hidalguenses En California – Club El Apapacho.” She also receives boxes of food for her family.

“I never did community service in my life before so for me this is really humanitarian because I’ve been on the side of people who lost their jobs and didn’t have anything to eat,” Bautista said.

Bautista said she knows what it’s like to be hungry.

“In 2010 I had to choose between buying food or putting gas in her car to continue working. I met someone at work who would share their lunch so I could fill up her car,” Bautista said.

Muhib John Aziz

Muhib John Aziz, a Garden Grove Resident, and his family volunteer with ICNA Relief to help those in need. Aziz said they got involved in volunteering after attending a diaper distribution held by the Muslim non-profit to pick up supplies for his little one.

“This is the best way for me to take my kids and be a part of it as well. Anytime in general, I can help humanity. I get a good feeling out of it and that’s what keeps me going forward,” Aziz said. “In this time of pandemic, everyone is in a severe need of help and I wanted to come out and show them my support.”

He added that as long as he and his family do their part to wear a mask and stay six feet apart from people there is no concern they’ll get the virus.

Aziz said it’s always important to make sure people get the food they need to feed them especially during times of disaster. For the volunteer, the purpose is not just about helping but to instill in his children the importance of giving back to the community.

“We are here to help humanity, especially those in need and to go out of our way to help our human brothers and sisters,” Aziz said.

Joanna Lee

Joanna Lee, Fullerton, is a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in Divinity and has been attending Vineyard Anaheim Church for the last two years. The church holds multiple food distributions every week to feed anybody hungry where she volunteers.

Part of Lee’s responsibilities is leading the Church’s weekly Saturday distribution at Brookhurst Community Center as well as helping out with their Senior Grocery Delivery program.

Lee said that even though the church had to shut down because of the pandemic, their efforts to hold community pantries stood out to her on social media and that’s how she got involved.

“When COVID first hit, it was such a time of fear of uncertainty and we didn’t know what was going on,” Lee said “Every time I saw what Vineyard was doing through social media or whatnot, it felt like there was so much hope, and so much light and so I was just attracted and drawn to that.”

She added at first that she was not sure volunteering was a good idea given the fact that Lee lives near her parents who are both older than 65. She also said the Church and their volunteers are being careful and following safety precautions at their distributions.

“At the end of the day, I didn’t want my fear to stop me from doing what I could to contribute to the restoration of the community and reaching out to those who are more in need than I am,” Lee said “I have a home and I can quarantine at home but there are many who don’t have a place of rest and a place of peace.”

Gurmeet Sawhney

Gurmeet Sawhney has lived in Orange County for the last 40 years and during the pandemic has been volunteering at food distributions held by the Sikh Center of Orange County in Santa Ana. Sawhney’s cousin Bandana Singh is the director of the Gurudwara’s food pantry.

Sawhney started helping in the beginning of March, before the pantry started, making signs and banners for it through the graphics company he owns called Aahs Signs and Graphics.

He said since the pandemic his business has been cut in half. Sawhney has been working for months from home where he lives with 11 people including his family, his brother’s family and their parents.

“We’re still so blessed. We’re still lucky,” he said. “There’s so many people who need it so this is the least we could do. This is nothing really. We all have to help each other. We all have to stand by each other so then there’s a lot less burden on one person if everyone’s doing it together.”

For Sawhney the best part of helping out is the diversity and the number of people who come out to volunteer.

“It’s awesome to see how many people are committed. Nobody’s being forced to do it. Nobody’s getting paid to do it. Most of the weeks, they have to turn off the volunteer list, because it fills up so quickly,” he said.

Jeanette Mayer

Jeanette Mayer, an Irvine resident, retired from a career of teaching four years ago since then she has been volunteering with Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

Prior to the pandemic, she was helping sort through food donations, checking to see that the goods were not expired or damaged. When the pandemic hit, Mayer began to volunteer at the drive through distributions Second Harvest held at the Honda Center for 16 weeks and since has helped pack food boxes.

“For me, food, shelter, water, those are basic human rights. Nobody asks to be homeless. Nobody asks to be hungry. People should be valued, no matter what position they find themselves in,” she said.

Mayer added her experience helping out at the distributions at the Honda center was amazing.

“You could feel overwhelmed with the need that so many people were facing. Mostly though, it felt really good to be part of a solution, or part of a way to help the community in a really dire time economically,” she said.

Thank You

Article Courtesy news.yahoo.com

]]> https://icna.org/patch-holiday-food-drive-give-to-feeding-america/feed/ 0 Orange County Food Banks And Pantries Step Up to Giveaway Thanksgiving Turkeys and Meals https://icna.org/orange-county-food-banks-and-pantries-step-up-to-giveaway-thanksgiving-turkeys-and-meals/ https://icna.org/orange-county-food-banks-and-pantries-step-up-to-giveaway-thanksgiving-turkeys-and-meals/#respond Fri, 20 Nov 2020 18:48:08 +0000 https://labssol.com/dev/iccna/?p=31807

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and a number of local food pantries are stepping up to ensure families hit hard financially by the pandemic will still have a turkey on the table this year. The United Across Borders Foundation Various organizations are holding special distributions for Thanksgiving in Orange County like the United Across Border Foundation who are distributing 2,000 turkeys and bags of groceries this weekend. Erika Robles, the founder and president of the foundation, said this weekend’s distributions are a collaboration with Orange County Supervisor Doug Chafee who will be providing the turkeys. Each car will receive one turkey and a bag of groceries on a first come, first serve basis. They will be holding a Thanksgiving distribution today in La Habra from 10 a.m. until supplies last. Tomorrow they will be in Anaheim starting at 9 a.m. and on Sunday they will be in Fullerton starting at 10 a.m. as well. Specific locations are listed below. Robles said the thanksgiving distributions are important for families who are struggling financially at this time. “This year has been crazy,” Robles said. “We want to have some resources for them and having a turkey, making sure that they’re going to have a meal — that is everything.” Courtesy of United Across Borders Foundation United Across Borders Foundation volunteers and team members prepare bags of food for their Thanksgiving distributions this weekend. The Power of One Foundation The Power of One Foundation is also holding Thanksgiving distributions and will be handing out 4,000 turkeys into the community. Residents must have scheduled an appointment in advance to pick up the food and currently all appointments are booked. Today, the Power of One Foundation is holding a turkey and food distribution for Disneyland Resort cast members from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Disney Employee Parking off of Harbor and Ball crossroads. “We were contacted by a former cast member, and they were expressing how hard hit the cast members are and then every few weeks, there are more people let go,” said Andre Roberson, the president and executive director of the nonprofit. “They asked us to partner up with them to be able to do a food distribution to help their fellow cast members.” Tomorrow, The nonprofit will be handing out turkeys at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. in partnership with Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris. Earlier this week they had a turkey distribution in Santa Ana at the Magnolia Science Academy. Next week they will have a distribution specifically for Santa Ana College students. Students must register for the event beforehand. Roberson said that now that the county has rolled back into the purple tier because of the pandemic, businesses will once again have to shut back down and people will receive furlough. He said because of the Coronavirus families might not get together for Thanksgiving. “The least we can do is work our hardest everyday to make sure that there’s a Thanksgiving meal on every table that we can possibly touch,” Roberson said. Public health officials have been warning residents to avoid or keep Thanksgiving gatherings small and outdoors as well as for residents to wear masks to avoid spread of the virus. We Give Thanks & The OC Hunger Alliance For over 30 years, the We Give Thanks non-profit, founded by Frank Garcia, a restaurant owner in Anaheim has been serving meals on Thanksgiving to people in need. For more than a decade, Garcia has partnered up with the Anaheim Ducks as well as Wells Fargo to hold the event at the Honda Center. This year it will be a drive through distribution at the Honda Center from 9 a.m. to noon to serve meals and food boxes to about 7,000 families impacted financially by the pandemic. We Give Thanks has partnered up with Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and Community Action Partnership of Orange County who will be providing 1,300 turkeys, 7,000 pies, 13,000 pounds of potatoes as well as 175,000 pounds of boxed food for the distribution. Waste Not OC will be responsible for packaging and preparing the meals for about 28,000 people as well as recover excess food to be distributed by local food pantries. “During the summer, the We Give Thanks team approached us and wanted to find out how they could rethink their event, because with social distancing, and just the way things are done today, their event wouldn’t be possible,” Harald Herrmann, the CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank. “We’ve all stepped in to facilitate a modified version of what’s taking place for 33 years.” HOSAM ELATTAR, Voice of OC Volunteers pack food boxes on Nov. 19, 2020 outside Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County in Irvine. Some volunteers are from the Anaheim Ducks organization. Earlier this week Second Harvest, Community Action Partnership and Waste Not OC announced they will be combining forces to form the OC Hunger Alliance in an effort to end poverty in Orange County by first ending hunger. “If food insecurity isn’t solved, then poverty, housing, social justice, health and education outcomes remain at risk, and these challenges will get even tougher on the other side of the pandemic as the economic fallout continues,” said Gregory C. Scott, the president and CEO of Community Action Partnership in a press release. The food banks have seen the demand for food increase around 400% this year because of the increase in unemployment due to pandemic shutdowns. With Orange County back in the purple tier they expect those numbers to continue to spike. OC Rescue Mission The Orange County Rescue Mission, a Christian organization based in Tustin that houses and helps the homeless, is in need of food items like canned goods to help provide Thanksgiving dinner for homeless people and families in the county. “Food donations across the country are at an all-time low at a time where we need them now more than ever,” said Jim Palmer, president of the organization in a news release sent out this week. “Families]]>

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and a number of local food pantries are stepping up to ensure families hit hard financially by the pandemic will still have a turkey on the table this year.

The United Across Borders Foundation

Various organizations are holding special distributions for Thanksgiving in Orange County like the United Across Border Foundation who are distributing 2,000 turkeys and bags of groceries this weekend.

Erika Robles, the founder and president of the foundation, said this weekend’s distributions are a collaboration with Orange County Supervisor Doug Chafee who will be providing the turkeys. Each car will receive one turkey and a bag of groceries on a first come, first serve basis.

They will be holding a Thanksgiving distribution today in La Habra from 10 a.m. until supplies last. Tomorrow they will be in Anaheim starting at 9 a.m. and on Sunday they will be in Fullerton starting at 10 a.m. as well. Specific locations are listed below.

Robles said the thanksgiving distributions are important for families who are struggling financially at this time.

“This year has been crazy,” Robles said. “We want to have some resources for them and having a turkey, making sure that they’re going to have a meal — that is everything.”

Courtesy of United Across Borders Foundation

United Across Borders Foundation volunteers and team members prepare bags of food for their Thanksgiving distributions this weekend.

The Power of One Foundation

The Power of One Foundation is also holding Thanksgiving distributions and will be handing out 4,000 turkeys into the community. Residents must have scheduled an appointment in advance to pick up the food and currently all appointments are booked.

Today, the Power of One Foundation is holding a turkey and food distribution for Disneyland Resort cast members from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Disney Employee Parking off of Harbor and Ball crossroads.

“We were contacted by a former cast member, and they were expressing how hard hit the cast members are and then every few weeks, there are more people let go,” said Andre Roberson, the president and executive director of the nonprofit. “They asked us to partner up with them to be able to do a food distribution to help their fellow cast members.”

Tomorrow, The nonprofit will be handing out turkeys at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. in partnership with Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris. Earlier this week they had a turkey distribution in Santa Ana at the Magnolia Science Academy.

Next week they will have a distribution specifically for Santa Ana College students. Students must register for the event beforehand.

Roberson said that now that the county has rolled back into the purple tier because of the pandemic, businesses will once again have to shut back down and people will receive furlough. He said because of the Coronavirus families might not get together for Thanksgiving.

“The least we can do is work our hardest everyday to make sure that there’s a Thanksgiving meal on every table that we can possibly touch,” Roberson said.

Public health officials have been warning residents to avoid or keep Thanksgiving gatherings small and outdoors as well as for residents to wear masks to avoid spread of the virus.

We Give Thanks & The OC Hunger Alliance

For over 30 years, the We Give Thanks non-profit, founded by Frank Garcia, a restaurant owner in Anaheim has been serving meals on Thanksgiving to people in need. For more than a decade, Garcia has partnered up with the Anaheim Ducks as well as Wells Fargo to hold the event at the Honda Center.

This year it will be a drive through distribution at the Honda Center from 9 a.m. to noon to serve meals and food boxes to about 7,000 families impacted financially by the pandemic.

We Give Thanks has partnered up with Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and Community Action Partnership of Orange County who will be providing 1,300 turkeys, 7,000 pies, 13,000 pounds of potatoes as well as 175,000 pounds of boxed food for the distribution.

Waste Not OC will be responsible for packaging and preparing the meals for about 28,000 people as well as recover excess food to be distributed by local food pantries.

“During the summer, the We Give Thanks team approached us and wanted to find out how they could rethink their event, because with social distancing, and just the way things are done today, their event wouldn’t be possible,” Harald Herrmann, the CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank. “We’ve all stepped in to facilitate a modified version of what’s taking place for 33 years.”

HOSAM ELATTAR, Voice of OC

Volunteers pack food boxes on Nov. 19, 2020 outside Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County in Irvine. Some volunteers are from the Anaheim Ducks organization.

Earlier this week Second Harvest, Community Action Partnership and Waste Not OC announced they will be combining forces to form the OC Hunger Alliance in an effort to end poverty in Orange County by first ending hunger.

“If food insecurity isn’t solved, then poverty, housing, social justice, health and education outcomes remain at risk, and these challenges will get even tougher on the other side of the pandemic as the economic fallout continues,” said Gregory C. Scott, the president and CEO of Community Action Partnership in a press release.

The food banks have seen the demand for food increase around 400% this year because of the increase in unemployment due to pandemic shutdowns. With Orange County back in the purple tier they expect those numbers to continue to spike.

OC Rescue Mission

The Orange County Rescue Mission, a Christian organization based in Tustin that houses and helps the homeless, is in need of food items like canned goods to help provide Thanksgiving dinner for homeless people and families in the county.

“Food donations across the country are at an all-time low at a time where we need them now more than ever,” said Jim Palmer, president of the organization in a news release sent out this week.

“Families throughout Orange County are struggling, we are seeing increases in homelessness, and many more are experiencing food insecurity,” Palmer said.

According to Feeding America, a nonprofit network of food banks across the country,  over 35 million people were food insecure in the U.S. prior to the pandemic. The organization estimates that number could rise to over 50 million people this year including 17 million children.

For months now local food banks and pantries, with help from their partnerships, have been working endlessly to ensure people devastated financially by the pandemic have food on their table.

Hermann said he can’t think of anything more important than to start his Thanksgiving with his family feeding others before they feed themselves.

“There are a lot of individuals in this county that are still newly vulnerable, looking for work, you know, trying to figure out how to make ends meet and now more than ever, we’re humbled to be able to be of service on Thanksgiving to provide food to those families,” he said.

For anybody in need of food, pantries across Orange County are handing it out for free. For more food assistance options visit 211 OC.

Places to Volunteer & Distributions

Those who wish to volunteer or donate may reach out to them through the channels listed below.

These include:

Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner

Tuesday Nov. 24 from 9:40 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. at Irvine Civic Center for residents in the third district.

1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606

United Across Borders Foundation

Turkey Giveaway on Friday Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. until supplies last in La Habra

101 West La Habra Boulevard La Habra, CA 90631

Turkey Giveaway on Saturday Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. until supplies last in Anaheim

1151 North Anaheim Blvd., CA 92805

Turkey Giveaway on Sunday Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. until supplies last in Fullerton

303 W Commonwealth Ave Fullerton

We Give Thanks Organization

Thursday Nov. 26 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

2695 East Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA  92806 (Distribution is off Douglass Road; follow directional signs)

Orange County Rescue Mission

To donate contact Nancy Palmer at nancy.palmer@rescuemission.org or visit www.rescuemission.org/urgent-thanksgiving-food-needs/.

Sikh Center of Orange County Food Pantry

Saturday Nov. 21 from 8:30-11 a.m. or until supplies last at the Gurudwara

2530 Warner Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92704

714 584 7573

Laguna Food Pantry

Every Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m. (Closed 11/26)

20652 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

949 497 7121

Vineyard Anaheim Church

Monday from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at SALK Elementary

1411 Gilbert St. Anaheim, CA 92804

Wednesday & Thursday from 9-11 a.m. at the Vineyard Anaheim Church

5340 E La Palma Ave. Anaheim, CA 92807 (Closed 11/26)

Saturday from 9-11 a.m. at the Brookhurst Community Center

2271 Crescent Ave. Anaheim, CA 92801

ICNA Relief Southern California

Friday Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. at Islamic Society of Orange County in Garden Grove.

9752 13th street, Garden Grove, CA 92844

Those who wish to volunteer with the organization can reach out to them on Facebook or at 714 399-4571.

If you operate a drive through food pantry in Orange County and would like our newsroom to be aware of your efforts, reach out to Hosam Elattar at helattar@voiceofoc.org or on Twitter @ElattarHosam.Article Courtesy voiceofoc.org

]]> https://icna.org/orange-county-food-banks-and-pantries-step-up-to-giveaway-thanksgiving-turkeys-and-meals/feed/ 0 Muslim Non-Profits Continue to Serve, Feed Vulnerable Orange County Residents https://icna.org/muslim-non-profits-continue-to-serve-feed-vulnerable-orange-county-residents/ https://icna.org/muslim-non-profits-continue-to-serve-feed-vulnerable-orange-county-residents/#respond Fri, 13 Nov 2020 18:28:27 +0000 https://labssol.com/dev/iccna/?p=31786

A host of local Muslim non-profits are among the many organizations out on the ground in Orange County distributing food to people in need. A network of pantries have been distributing food for free for months now supporting people who have lost jobs during the pandemic or struggling financially. Many among the network are faith based or houses of worship like mosques, churches and gurudwaras serving anyone who is hungry. ICNA Relief Southern California — part of a greater national organization — is a Muslim non-profit based in Fullerton. They have been doing food distributions throughout cities in Orange County and other neighboring counties for years prior to the pandemic. Abdullah Zikria, the outreach coordinator of Southern California ICNA Relief, said through their years of service the organization has developed relationships with various cities in Orange County and elsewhere in Southern California as well as various food banks in the region. During the pandemic, these relationships have helped the non-profit distribute food in local cities. “In 2013, we started doing food services. Our people would come in and we would provide food for families, diapers and other things,” Zikria said. “Since COVID, We have definitely taken our food services to a whole different level that it’s never been before.” When the pandemic started in March, ICNA Relief held 10  larger scale distributions. Since then they are averaging about 20 distributions a month across Orange County and other parts of Southern California and have given out over 800,000 pounds of food at over 130 distributions, according to Zikria. Zikria also said Mayors and Members of Congress have reached out to ICNA Relief about food distributions. “We don’t participate in the politics. We serve anybody. We work with everybody. We are a nonprofit,” Zikria said. ICNA also works with school districts in Orange County to find schools with a high percent of students receiving a free lunch to reach the most vulnerable in each community. “That’s a good indicator for us, that those are families that probably need this help,” Zikria said. They’ve held distributions at schools and mosques throughout the County. The group has also made ins with community organizers. Somedays the organization will go to cross streets near low income housing and hand out food items reaching out to local organizers to spread the word and through social media. “Our distributions are so mobile, especially the neighborhood ones. We pick up items from Walmart, from Costco, from Target, three times a week and so it depends on what we get,” Zikria said. “Based on what we can get we’ve been able to see what neighborhood we can go to.” Beyond food, they hold diaper distributions and offer medical and counseling services. The non-profit also operates a women’s transitional home for survivors of domestic violence. ICNA Relief Southern California has only four staff members but they have close to 100 volunteers who help them be able to get the food out to people. Muhib John Aziz, a Garden Grove Resident, and his family volunteer with ICNA Relief to help those in need. “My favorite thing is that I get joy out of helping others,” Aziz said. He added that another motivation for him is to engrain in children and family the importance of giving back to the community. “We are here to help humanity, especially those in need and to go out of our way to help our human brothers and sisters,” Aziz said. Another Muslim Based nonprofit, Uplift Charity, has also been active distributing boxes of food on every month to Orange County Residents. The charity has distributed thousands of boxes of food since the pandemic started and around 1,600 boxes during Ramadan this year as well as over 2,000 meals in Orange and Los Angeles Counties. This Saturday Uplift Charity is holding a special drive through food distribution of food boxes at Al-Ansar Mosque in Anaheim from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. This week’s distribution will be to honor case manager Raihan Dakhil, her husband Joseph Awaida and their 3-year-old son Omar who were killed by an alleged DUI driver in Long Beach last Halloween. Ahmed Almukhtar, Uplift Charity’s director of operations, said the family was very active in giving back to the community. “Raihan was part of Uplift Charity. She worked with Uplift Charity for more than two years as an amazing case manager. She changed a lot of lives,” Almukhtar said. “They were very active in charity events, they were very active in volunteering, and assisting their community in Long Beach and in Orange County.” Uplift Charity will also be distributing Hijabs and face masks on Saturday as well. For anybody in need of food or a desire to volunteer, pantries across Orange County are handing it out for free. These include: Uplift Charity Saturday Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Al-Ansar Mosque in Anaheim 1717 S Brookhurst St Anaheim, CA 92804 ICNA Relief Southern California Friday Nov. 13 at 3:30 p.m. at Monarch Apartments in Anaheim 1860 West Crescent Ave. Anaheim, CA 92801 Friday Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. at Islamic Society of Orange County in Garden Grove. 9752 13th street, Garden Grove, CA 92844 Those who wish to volunteer with the organization can reach out to them on Facebook or at 714 399-4571. Power of One Foundation Saturday Nov. 14 and 21 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Calvary Church in Santa Ana 3800 S Fairview St, Santa Ana, CA 92704 Every Thursday and Saturday from 8 -11 a.m. at IKEA in Costa Mesa for Curbside pickup. 1475 S Coast Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 By appointment. Sign up before 2 p.m. the day before to get an appointment. Sikh Center of Orange County Food Pantry Saturday Nov. 14 from 8-10:30 a.m. or until supplies last at the Gurudwara And on Nov. 21 it will be from 8:30-11 a.m. 2530 Warner Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92704 714 584 7573 Laguna Food Pantry Every Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m. 20652 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 949 497 7121 Vineyard Anaheim Church]]>

A host of local Muslim non-profits are among the many organizations out on the ground in Orange County distributing food to people in need.

A network of pantries have been distributing food for free for months now supporting people who have lost jobs during the pandemic or struggling financially. Many among the network are faith based or houses of worship like mosques, churches and gurudwaras serving anyone who is hungry.

ICNA Relief Southern California — part of a greater national organization — is a Muslim non-profit based in Fullerton. They have been doing food distributions throughout cities in Orange County and other neighboring counties for years prior to the pandemic.

Abdullah Zikria, the outreach coordinator of Southern California ICNA Relief, said through their years of service the organization has developed relationships with various cities in Orange County and elsewhere in Southern California as well as various food banks in the region.

During the pandemic, these relationships have helped the non-profit distribute food in local cities.

“In 2013, we started doing food services. Our people would come in and we would provide food for families, diapers and other things,” Zikria said. “Since COVID, We have definitely taken our food services to a whole different level that it’s never been before.”

When the pandemic started in March, ICNA Relief held 10  larger scale distributions. Since then they are averaging about 20 distributions a month across Orange County and other parts of Southern California and have given out over 800,000 pounds of food at over 130 distributions, according to Zikria.

Zikria also said Mayors and Members of Congress have reached out to ICNA Relief about food distributions.

“We don’t participate in the politics. We serve anybody. We work with everybody. We are a nonprofit,” Zikria said.

ICNA also works with school districts in Orange County to find schools with a high percent of students receiving a free lunch to reach the most vulnerable in each community.

“That’s a good indicator for us, that those are families that probably need this help,” Zikria said.

They’ve held distributions at schools and mosques throughout the County.

The group has also made ins with community organizers. Somedays the organization will go to cross streets near low income housing and hand out food items reaching out to local organizers to spread the word and through social media.

“Our distributions are so mobile, especially the neighborhood ones. We pick up items from Walmart, from Costco, from Target, three times a week and so it depends on what we get,” Zikria said. “Based on what we can get we’ve been able to see what neighborhood we can go to.”

Beyond food, they hold diaper distributions and offer medical and counseling services. The non-profit also operates a women’s transitional home for survivors of domestic violence.

ICNA Relief Southern California has only four staff members but they have close to 100 volunteers who help them be able to get the food out to people.

Muhib John Aziz, a Garden Grove Resident, and his family volunteer with ICNA Relief to help those in need.

“My favorite thing is that I get joy out of helping others,” Aziz said.

He added that another motivation for him is to engrain in children and family the importance of giving back to the community.

“We are here to help humanity, especially those in need and to go out of our way to help our human brothers and sisters,” Aziz said.

Another Muslim Based nonprofit, Uplift Charity, has also been active distributing boxes of food on every month to Orange County Residents. The charity has distributed thousands of boxes of food since the pandemic started and around 1,600 boxes during Ramadan this year as well as over 2,000 meals in Orange and Los Angeles Counties.

This Saturday Uplift Charity is holding a special drive through food distribution of food boxes at Al-Ansar Mosque in Anaheim from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

This week’s distribution will be to honor case manager Raihan Dakhil, her husband Joseph Awaida and their 3-year-old son Omar who were killed by an alleged DUI driver in Long Beach last Halloween.

Ahmed Almukhtar, Uplift Charity’s director of operations, said the family was very active in giving back to the community.

“Raihan was part of Uplift Charity. She worked with Uplift Charity for more than two years as an amazing case manager. She changed a lot of lives,” Almukhtar said. “They were very active in charity events, they were very active in volunteering, and assisting their community in Long Beach and in Orange County.”

Uplift Charity will also be distributing Hijabs and face masks on Saturday as well.

For anybody in need of food or a desire to volunteer, pantries across Orange County are handing it out for free.

These include:

Uplift Charity

Saturday Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Al-Ansar Mosque in Anaheim

1717 S Brookhurst St Anaheim, CA 92804

ICNA Relief Southern California

Friday Nov. 13 at 3:30 p.m. at Monarch Apartments in Anaheim

1860 West Crescent Ave. Anaheim, CA 92801

Friday Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. at Islamic Society of Orange County in Garden Grove.

9752 13th street, Garden Grove, CA 92844

Those who wish to volunteer with the organization can reach out to them on Facebook or at 714 399-4571.

Power of One Foundation

Saturday Nov. 14 and 21 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Calvary Church in Santa Ana

3800 S Fairview St, Santa Ana, CA 92704

Every Thursday and Saturday from 8 -11 a.m. at IKEA in Costa Mesa for Curbside pickup.

1475 S Coast Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

By appointment. Sign up before 2 p.m. the day before to get an appointment.

Sikh Center of Orange County Food Pantry

Saturday Nov. 14 from 8-10:30 a.m. or until supplies last at the Gurudwara

And on Nov. 21 it will be from 8:30-11 a.m.

2530 Warner Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92704

714 584 7573

Laguna Food Pantry

Every Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

20652 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

949 497 7121

Vineyard Anaheim Church

Monday from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at SALK Elementary

1411 Gilbert St. Anaheim, CA 92804

Wednesday & Thursday from 9-11 a.m. at the Vineyard Anaheim Church

5340 E La Palma Ave. Anaheim, CA 92807

Saturday from 9-11 a.m. at the Brookhurst Community Center

2271 Crescent Ave. Anaheim, CA 92801

United Across Borders Foundation

Turkey Giveaway on Friday Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. until supplies last in La Habra

101 West La Habra Boulevard La Habra, CA 90631

Turkey Giveaway on Saturday Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. until supplies last in Anaheim

201 W. Center St. Promenade Anaheim, CA 92805

Turkey Giveaway on Sunday Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. until supplies last in Fullerton

303 W Commonwealth Ave Fullerton

For more food assistance options visit 211 OC.

If you operate a drive through food pantry in Orange County and would like our newsroom to be aware of your efforts, reach out to Hosam Elattar at helattar@voiceofoc.org or on Twitter @ElattarHosam. Article Courtesy voiceofoc.com

]]> https://icna.org/muslim-non-profits-continue-to-serve-feed-vulnerable-orange-county-residents/feed/ 0 Webinar on Islamic Estate Planning by Yaser Ali Esq. | ICNA CSJ California https://icna.org/webinar-on-islamic-estate-planning-by-yaser-ali-esq-icna-csj-california/ https://icna.org/webinar-on-islamic-estate-planning-by-yaser-ali-esq-icna-csj-california/#respond Fri, 30 Oct 2020 02:02:35 +0000 https://labssol.com/dev/iccna/video/webinar-on-islamic-estate-planning-by-yaser-ali-esq-icna-csj-california/

Learn how to protect your family, fulfill your religious obligation, and leave a legacy after death. The presenter Hafidh Yaser Ali, is an attorney who graduated from Harvard University and UC Berkeley. He’s also trained in classical Islamic Inheritance Law. He co-authored the American Bar Association’s guide on Muslim estate planning. He runs muslim.estate, an online tool for creating simple Islamic wills for free. For more information: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/icna Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/icna Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/icnatv Website: http://www.icna.org Phone: (855) 855-ICNA Donate at http://www.icna.org/donation/ Volunteer at http://www.icna.org/joinus/ source]]>



Learn how to protect your family, fulfill your religious obligation, and leave a legacy after death.
The presenter Hafidh Yaser Ali, is an attorney who graduated from Harvard University and UC Berkeley. He’s also trained in classical Islamic Inheritance Law. He co-authored the American Bar Association’s guide on Muslim estate planning. He runs muslim.estate, an online tool for creating simple Islamic wills for free.
For more information:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/icna
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/icna
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/icnatv
Website: http://www.icna.org
Phone: (855) 855-ICNA
Donate at http://www.icna.org/donation/
Volunteer at http://www.icna.org/joinus/

source

]]> https://icna.org/webinar-on-islamic-estate-planning-by-yaser-ali-esq-icna-csj-california/feed/ 0 ICNA commends the passing of NO BAN Act https://icna.org/icna-commends-the-passing-of-no-ban-act/ https://icna.org/icna-commends-the-passing-of-no-ban-act/#respond Thu, 23 Jul 2020 08:00:27 +0000 https://labssol.com/dev/iccna/?p=26369

—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE— NEW YORK, NY (July 22, 2020) – The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) commends the passing of House Resolution 2486 titled the NO BAN Act today. “This is a step in the right direction against the unjust and unconstitutional ban imposed by President Trump.” Said ICNA President Javaid Siddiqi. ICNA appeals to the U.S. Senate and in particular the majority party to take the right side of history and support the Senate version of this resolution. ICNA and the American Muslim community stands by the tireless efforts of the past 4 years of thousands of activists, organizations, congressional staffers and co-sponsoring representatives who made this possible. ICNA’s social justice arm, ICNA Council for Social Justice joined the largest coalition of civil rights and social justice organizations in supporting the initial version of this resolution last year. ICNA acknowledges and appreciates Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) for introducing this resolution last year and for her history of championing legislations against bias and bigotry. The No Ban Act would amend the current law to require that any travel ban be temporary, based on credible evidence, subject to congressional oversight, and be created only in response to specific actions foreign entities have taken to threaten the US.]]>

—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—
NEW YORK, NY (July 22, 2020) – The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) commends the passing of House Resolution 2486 titled the NO BAN Act today.

“This is a step in the right direction against the unjust and unconstitutional ban imposed by President Trump.” Said ICNA President Javaid Siddiqi.
ICNA appeals to the U.S. Senate and in particular the majority party to take the right side of history and support the Senate version of this resolution.
ICNA and the American Muslim community stands by the tireless efforts of the past 4 years of thousands of activists, organizations, congressional staffers and co-sponsoring representatives who made this possible.
ICNA’s social justice arm, ICNA Council for Social Justice joined the largest coalition of civil rights and social justice organizations in supporting the initial version of this resolution last year.

US Rep. Judy Chu recieveing an award recognizing her work for American Muslims from ICNA CSJ in Los Angeles, California in 2018 by Waqas Syed, ICNA.

ICNA acknowledges and appreciates Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) for introducing this resolution last year and for her history of championing legislations against bias and bigotry.
The No Ban Act would amend the current law to require that any travel ban be temporary, based on credible evidence, subject to congressional oversight, and be created only in response to specific actions foreign entities have taken to threaten the US.

]]> https://icna.org/icna-commends-the-passing-of-no-ban-act/feed/ 0 Houses of Worship Help Battle Food Insecurity in Orange County https://icna.org/houses-of-worship-help-battle-food-insecurity-in-orange-county/ https://icna.org/houses-of-worship-help-battle-food-insecurity-in-orange-county/#respond Fri, 03 Jul 2020 18:31:00 +0000 https://labssol.com/dev/iccna/?p=26569

Mosques, synagogues, churches, Gurudwaras and other religious institutions are all finding ways to feed communities across the country and many are among the distribution sites in Orange County getting food to the people who need it. A network of drive-through food pantries started popping up in Orange County in March to help feed people devastated financially by the pandemic and stay at home orders. Several of the pantries are run by houses of worship. “This is already a place where the community gathers. It’s a place where the community feels comfortable. These churches are located and dotted throughout the county and the communities that they serve. They are at natural distribution points,” said Harald Herrmann, the chief executive officer of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. Institutions like the Catholic Church are among those getting food to people regardless of their religious beliefs. There is a drive through food pantry at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove every Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the first Saturday of every month 10 a.m. to noon. However, no food distribution will occur on July 4 and will instead be held on July 11. “As Catholics, we believe in the fundamental dignity of the human person because we believe that we’re all created in the image of God,” said Rev. Christopher Smith of the Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. “The distribution of food is what we believe is part of our social responsibility because a human being has the right to be able to sustain him or herself physically and food makes that possible.” Mariners Church, a nondenominational church in Irvine, holds a walk-in food pantry from Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. where people can wait in line six feet apart to get food. Since the church started its pantry in mid-March it has handed out over 42,000 bags of food, said Jonah Haase, resource center director at the church. “It’s biblical that we need to share with everyone who is in need especially during times where people are in extreme need like right now,” Haase said. “That’s who we are.” Muslims are also part of the effort to help feed those in need. The Islamic Center of Yorba Linda has been dropping off and delivering bags of groceries to senior citizens and others since shortly after the pandemic started. The grocery delivery is part of a partnership with Uplift Charity, a Muslim non-profit based in Anaheim that works to help those in need become self sufficient, and ICNA relief, a charity that provides social services to underprivileged people. Those interested in a grocery drop off can contact the mosque in Yorba Linda. “The idea was if there’s a senior having difficulty getting groceries, or is impacted in any way financially, let’s deliver to them and then we expanded to open it up to anybody that had a food issue because we started to learn that this was becoming a deeper issue. People were losing their jobs,” said Owaiz Dadabhoy, a board member at the mosque. He added it is important to have a strong institution set up to support the community. “If they are set up and they’re financially strong and they’re run well, then when a calamity happens, they can spring into action better than individuals,” Dadabhoy said. Dadabhoy said that in Islam there is a responsibility to help feed the hungry and it is ingrained in believers of the faith to feed those in need. A similar responsibility, known as langar and seva, is also part of Sikhism. “In Sikhism, the concept of seva, which is selfless service, in conjunction with the concept of langar, which is a free community kitchen, are very, very fundamental pillars of the faith and for us, it’s our duty to help people and it’s our duty to step up when we see a need,” said Bandana Singh, a spokesperson for the Sikh Center of Orange County’s food pantry. The center, a nonprofit religious organization in Santa Ana, has been holding drive-through food distributions during the pandemic at the Gurudwara or Sikh temple in the city. Singh said Gurudwaras all over the country and the world are among those who have stepped up to serve during the pandemic. “Nobody’s ever gone through anything like this in any of our lifetimes, my parents, me or my kids’ generation,” Singh said. “It goes back to the concept of seva in Sikhism that you need to do selfless service and you need to do it when you see a need and the need is greater now than I can ever remember in my lifetime. That’s why right now, it’s the most important thing.” Since 2010, Temple Beth Sholom in Santa Ana has been providing and cooking meals for the homeless on Sundays as part of a program called Mitzvah Meals but since the pandemic the synagogue has had to put the cooking on pause. Instead the synagogue continues to collect food donations from Trader Joe’s in Irvine and provides them to Western Service Workers Association, a private member association in Santa Ana, which distributes the food to low income service workers. Cheryl Escoe, the volunteer chairperson for Mitzvah Meals, said it’s important in Judaism to help make sure the hungry are fed to repair the world or as it is known in Hebrew, Tikkun Olam. “It’s kind of embedded in us. It’s our DNA,” Escoe said. “I think it’s the same for all denominations, that we want to help repair the world and this is one way we can do it.” The Jain Center of Southern California holds a food distribution on Sundays from 2-3:30 p.m. at its temple in Buena Park. The center has raised over $120,000 from donations as part of a coronavirus relief fund and is using it to help the community not just with food. Dr. Jayesh Shah the president of the Jain Center, said the three basic principles of Jainism — ahimsa or nonviolence, aparigraha or non possessiveness and anekantvad or multiplicity — illustrate]]>

Mosques, synagogues, churches, Gurudwaras and other religious institutions are all finding ways to feed communities across the country and many are among the distribution sites in Orange County getting food to the people who need it.

A network of drive-through food pantries started popping up in Orange County in March to help feed people devastated financially by the pandemic and stay at home orders.
Several of the pantries are run by houses of worship.
“This is already a place where the community gathers. It’s a place where the community feels comfortable. These churches are located and dotted throughout the county and the communities that they serve. They are at natural distribution points,” said Harald Herrmann, the chief executive officer of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.
Institutions like the Catholic Church are among those getting food to people regardless of their religious beliefs. There is a drive through food pantry at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove every Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the first Saturday of every month 10 a.m. to noon. However, no food distribution will occur on July 4 and will instead be held on July 11.
“As Catholics, we believe in the fundamental dignity of the human person because we believe that we’re all created in the image of God,” said Rev. Christopher Smith of the Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. “The distribution of food is what we believe is part of our social responsibility because a human being has the right to be able to sustain him or herself physically and food makes that possible.”
Mariners Church, a nondenominational church in Irvine, holds a walk-in food pantry from Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. where people can wait in line six feet apart to get food.
Since the church started its pantry in mid-March it has handed out over 42,000 bags of food, said Jonah Haase, resource center director at the church.
“It’s biblical that we need to share with everyone who is in need especially during times where people are in extreme need like right now,” Haase said. “That’s who we are.”
Muslims are also part of the effort to help feed those in need.
The Islamic Center of Yorba Linda has been dropping off and delivering bags of groceries to senior citizens and others since shortly after the pandemic started.
The grocery delivery is part of a partnership with Uplift Charity, a Muslim non-profit based in Anaheim that works to help those in need become self sufficient, and ICNA relief, a charity that provides social services to underprivileged people. Those interested in a grocery drop off can contact the mosque in Yorba Linda.
“The idea was if there’s a senior having difficulty getting groceries, or is impacted in any way financially, let’s deliver to them and then we expanded to open it up to anybody that had a food issue because we started to learn that this was becoming a deeper issue. People were losing their jobs,” said Owaiz Dadabhoy, a board member at the mosque.
He added it is important to have a strong institution set up to support the community.
“If they are set up and they’re financially strong and they’re run well, then when a calamity happens, they can spring into action better than individuals,” Dadabhoy said.
Dadabhoy said that in Islam there is a responsibility to help feed the hungry and it is ingrained in believers of the faith to feed those in need.
A similar responsibility, known as langar and seva, is also part of Sikhism.
“In Sikhism, the concept of seva, which is selfless service, in conjunction with the concept of langar, which is a free community kitchen, are very, very fundamental pillars of the faith and for us, it’s our duty to help people and it’s our duty to step up when we see a need,” said Bandana Singh, a spokesperson for the Sikh Center of Orange County’s food pantry.
The center, a nonprofit religious organization in Santa Ana, has been holding drive-through food distributions during the pandemic at the Gurudwara or Sikh temple in the city.
Singh said Gurudwaras all over the country and the world are among those who have stepped up to serve during the pandemic.
“Nobody’s ever gone through anything like this in any of our lifetimes, my parents, me or my kids’ generation,” Singh said. “It goes back to the concept of seva in Sikhism that you need to do selfless service and you need to do it when you see a need and the need is greater now than I can ever remember in my lifetime. That’s why right now, it’s the most important thing.”
Since 2010, Temple Beth Sholom in Santa Ana has been providing and cooking meals for the homeless on Sundays as part of a program called Mitzvah Meals but since the pandemic the synagogue has had to put the cooking on pause.
Instead the synagogue continues to collect food donations from Trader Joe’s in Irvine and provides them to Western Service Workers Association, a private member association in Santa Ana, which distributes the food to low income service workers.
Cheryl Escoe, the volunteer chairperson for Mitzvah Meals, said it’s important in Judaism to help make sure the hungry are fed to repair the world or as it is known in Hebrew, Tikkun Olam.
“It’s kind of embedded in us. It’s our DNA,” Escoe said. “I think it’s the same for all denominations, that we want to help repair the world and this is one way we can do it.”
The Jain Center of Southern California holds a food distribution on Sundays from 2-3:30 p.m. at its temple in Buena Park. The center has raised over $120,000 from donations as part of a coronavirus relief fund and is using it to help the community not just with food.
Dr. Jayesh Shah the president of the Jain Center, said the three basic principles of Jainism — ahimsa or nonviolence, aparigraha or non possessiveness and anekantvad or multiplicity — illustrate why it is important to give back to the community.
“Compassion – help people as much as you can, whomever you can help, whichever way you can help. That’s our principles,” he said.
The center donated $35,000 to Second Harvest to help feed people in need, Shah said.
Herrmann, the Second Harvest CEO, said it is no surprise that mosques, churches, temples and religious institutions are a big part of the effort to tackle food insecurity during the pandemic.
“Let’s face it, most faith based organizations are focused on providing for their community and not just spiritually but also in this case sustenance,” he said.
For anybody in need of food pantries across Orange County are handing it out for free.
These include:
Jain Center of Southern California
Sunday 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
8072 Commonwealth Ave., Buena Park, CA 90621
Christ Cathedral (No Distribution on July 4)
Thursday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
First Saturday of every month 10 a.m. – noon (July 11 this month)
13280 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove, CA 92840
Mariners Church
Monday through Friday at 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
5001 Newport Coast Drive, Irvine, CA 92603
Sikh Center of Orange County (No Distribution on July 4)
Every Saturday in July starting the 11th from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Gurudwara
2530 Warner Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92704
The Vineyard Anaheim Church (No Distribution on July 4)
Every Wednesday and Thursday from 9-11 a.m.  at the church. 
5340 E La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807
Thursday 3-4 p.m. (Cancelled on July 2 for July 4 weekend and resumes July 9)
601 E Valencia Drive, Fullerton, CA 92832
Saturday 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Brookhurst Community Center
2271 Crescent Ave, Anaheim, CA 92801
Laguna Food Pantry
Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
20652 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
For more food assistance options visit 211 OC.
If you operate a drive through food pantry in Orange County and would like our newsroom to be aware of your efforts, reach out to Hosam Elattar at helattar@voiceofoc.org or on Twitter @ElattarHosam.
Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC Reporting Fellow. Contact him @helattar@voiceofoc.org or on Twitter @ElattarHosam.
Article Courtesy: voiceofoc.com

]]> https://icna.org/houses-of-worship-help-battle-food-insecurity-in-orange-county/feed/ 0 NJ Leaders Seek Change In Policing Policy https://icna.org/nj-leaders-seek-change-in-policing-policy/ https://icna.org/nj-leaders-seek-change-in-policing-policy/#respond Sun, 14 Jun 2020 01:55:52 +0000 https://labssol.com/dev/iccna/?p=26489

NEW JERSEY — Protests continue in New Jersey this weekend as demonstrators across the nation march, rally and speak out against police brutality and systemic racism after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. In Newark, a coalition of North Jersey Muslim community groups have organized a rally to protest police brutality. It’s being led by the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) the New Jersey branch of ICNA Council for Social Justice (ICNA-CSJ), the Council of Imams in New Jersey (CIINJ) and the Muslim American Society New Jersey (MAS). “The Muslim community of New Jersey unites in its condemnation of the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmed Arbery, Steven Taylor, and the senseless killings of countless other unarmed and innocent African-Americans,” CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said. In Gloucester Township, a group of Highland Regional High School alumni will “Listen and Remember” during a Sunday memorial at Gloucester Township Community Park on Turnersville-Hicktsown Road. The memorial will begin at 7 p.m. According to organizers, the memorial is intended to allow Black Gloucester Township community members to speak, and for other demonstrators to listen. “Amidst all of the tragedy and injustice in the world today, we in Gloucester Township would like to take the time to shed a light on our black community,” the organizers wrote on their Facebook page announcing the event. “We invite you to come listen and reflect over the words of our own community members and other special guests in the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement. This is a time to absorb the words and learn from them, to create a safer community where diversity is celebrated and not targeted.”   A list compiled by Jay Viviani shows at least 11 other protests scheduled for this weekend in New Jersey, including: Bridgewater Florham Park and Madison Plainfield Union City Woodbridge Mount Holly Somerville Camden New Egypt Edison Mystic Islands Protests both locally and across the country have sparked intense debate about police brutality, and the use of force. On Friday, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal outlined his plans for revising New Jersey’s “use of force policy,” and said he plans to issue a directive revising that policy “before the end of 2020.” This initiative is part of Grewal’s Excellence in Policing initiative, which launched in December of 2019. Grewal wasn’t the only one to speak up about the need for police reform, as New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker was among a number of high-profile Democrats to support the “Justice in Policing Act of 2020.” Booker, along with California Sen. Kamala Harris, sponsored the bill. The bill would allow use of force only as a last resort, ban chokeholds, prohibit racial and religious profiling, make it easier to hold police accountable for misconduct and eliminate qualified immunity for police officers. The bill would also ban the use of no-knock warrants, a move that’s already happened in Louisville, as, this week, Breonna’s Law was enacted in the city. The law is named for Breonna Taylor, the black Louisville EMT killed by police in her home on March 13 while officers were carrying-out a no-knock warrant. Taylor’s death, along with the death of George Floyd, has sparked these intense conversations around reform, and also the nationwide protests. Floyd, a 46-year old Minneapolis man, died on May 25 with the knee of a white police officer on his neck. Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, who was captured on video kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, was initially charged with third-degree murder. That charge has since been elevated to second-degree murder. The other three officers present at the time of Floyd’s death — Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao — have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, according to court records. An independent autopsy revealed Floyd’s cause of death to be asphyxia due to sustained forceful pressure. Dr. Michael Baden and Dr. Allecia Wilson, who performed the autopsy, ruled his death a homicide. Article Courtesy: Patch.com]]>

NEW JERSEY — Protests continue in New Jersey this weekend as demonstrators across the nation march, rally and speak out against police brutality and systemic racism after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

In Newark, a coalition of North Jersey Muslim community groups have organized a rally to protest police brutality. It’s being led by the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) the New Jersey branch of ICNA Council for Social Justice (ICNA-CSJ), the Council of Imams in New Jersey (CIINJ) and the Muslim American Society New Jersey (MAS).
“The Muslim community of New Jersey unites in its condemnation of the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmed Arbery, Steven Taylor, and the senseless killings of countless other unarmed and innocent African-Americans,” CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said.
In Gloucester Township, a group of Highland Regional High School alumni will “Listen and Remember” during a Sunday memorial at Gloucester Township Community Park on Turnersville-Hicktsown Road. The memorial will begin at 7 p.m.
According to organizers, the memorial is intended to allow Black Gloucester Township community members to speak, and for other demonstrators to listen.
“Amidst all of the tragedy and injustice in the world today, we in Gloucester Township would like to take the time to shed a light on our black community,” the organizers wrote on their Facebook page announcing the event. “We invite you to come listen and reflect over the words of our own community members and other special guests in the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement. This is a time to absorb the words and learn from them, to create a safer community where diversity is celebrated and not targeted.”
 
A list compiled by Jay Viviani shows at least 11 other protests scheduled for this weekend in New Jersey, including:

  • Bridgewater
  • Florham Park and Madison
  • Plainfield
  • Union City
  • Woodbridge
  • Mount Holly
  • Somerville
  • Camden
  • New Egypt
  • Edison
  • Mystic Islands

Protests both locally and across the country have sparked intense debate about police brutality, and the use of force.

On Friday, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal outlined his plans for revising New Jersey’s “use of force policy,” and said he plans to issue a directive revising that policy “before the end of 2020.”
This initiative is part of Grewal’s Excellence in Policing initiative, which launched in December of 2019.
Grewal wasn’t the only one to speak up about the need for police reform, as New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker was among a number of high-profile Democrats to support the “Justice in Policing Act of 2020.” Booker, along with California Sen. Kamala Harris, sponsored the bill.
The bill would allow use of force only as a last resort, ban chokeholds, prohibit racial and religious profiling, make it easier to hold police accountable for misconduct and eliminate qualified immunity for police officers.
The bill would also ban the use of no-knock warrants, a move that’s already happened in Louisville, as, this week, Breonna’s Law was enacted in the city. The law is named for Breonna Taylor, the black Louisville EMT killed by police in her home on March 13 while officers were carrying-out a no-knock warrant.
Taylor’s death, along with the death of George Floyd, has sparked these intense conversations around reform, and also the nationwide protests.
Floyd, a 46-year old Minneapolis man, died on May 25 with the knee of a white police officer on his neck.
Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, who was captured on video kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, was initially charged with third-degree murder. That charge has since been elevated to second-degree murder.
The other three officers present at the time of Floyd’s death — Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao — have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, according to court records.
An independent autopsy revealed Floyd’s cause of death to be asphyxia due to sustained forceful pressure. Dr. Michael Baden and Dr. Allecia Wilson, who performed the autopsy, ruled his death a homicide.
Article Courtesy: Patch.com
]]> https://icna.org/nj-leaders-seek-change-in-policing-policy/feed/ 0 ICNA CSJ organizes one of the largest rallies in California https://icna.org/icna-csj-organizes-one-of-the-largest-rallies-in-california/ https://icna.org/icna-csj-organizes-one-of-the-largest-rallies-in-california/#respond Sun, 07 Jun 2020 04:11:09 +0000 https://labssol.com/dev/iccna/?p=26216

(June 6, 2020 | LOS ANGELES, Calif.) — Thousands joined a rally organized by ICNA Council for Social Justice, California Chapter (ICNA CSJ-CA) in Los Angeles today, against racism and police brutality. According to media reports and authorities, over 4,000 people joined the only rally today organized by a Muslim organization in California. These rallies called for justice and condemned police tactics following the deaths of George Floyd, who died May 25 at the hands of Minneapolis police, and Breonna Taylor, who was killed in March during a police raid of her apartment in Louisville. Waqas Syed, Director of the California chapter of ICNA CSJ said that it is our sacred obligation as Muslims to stand up for justice and not remain silent in face of such blatant racism. “No Muslim can find a valid reason today, to not be on the right side of history” he added. The large but peaceful rally was held in the afternoon on Wilshire Avenue near the Federal Building. Khaaja Najmuddin, President of ICNA Southern California, said that the large crowds who rallied today behind a Muslim organization, show that we as a society, have come a long way, while the continued racism proves that we still have a long way to go. The participants took the knee several times throughout protest and at one time lied face down, halting traffic, to symbolize the treatment of black victims by several police officers. The Los Angeles Police Department blocked off several streets and freeway exits around the rally area to accommodate the protesters. Saad Bholat, the lead organizer said that he was happy to see not just the peaceful nature of this rally but the willingness of such a huge crowd to follow the organizer’s guidelines requiring all to wear masks and avoid close contact per LA County COVID-19 precautions. “KNOW JUSTICE, KNOW PEACE,” one of the marchers’ signs said. “To Be Silent Is To Be Complicit,” said another. Noah Seifulah, ICNA Board Member and an Imam from Long Beach said that this is the defining moment for the American Muslim stance on social justice. He said history will be a witness to where we stood as a community when a marginal section of the society was engulfed in the struggle for equal rights. “This overwhelming solidarity among the youth is motivating. I have never been inspired to rise and dedicate myself to this cause like today” said Suha Syed, a member of Young Muslims, ICNA’s youth division. The rally had garnered publicity via social media and announcements on local radio and news outlets. “We are thankful to not just the participants for following the organizer’s directives but also to the public for their patience and encouragement while traffic was halted several times during the protest.” added Syed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jake Albrecht (@trustdashoota) on Jun 7, 2020 at 1:27am PDT]]>

(June 6, 2020 | LOS ANGELES, Calif.) — Thousands joined a rally organized by ICNA Council for Social Justice, California Chapter (ICNA CSJ-CA) in Los Angeles today, against racism and police brutality.

According to media reports and authorities, over 4,000 people joined the only rally today organized by a Muslim organization in California. These rallies called for justice and condemned police tactics following the deaths of George Floyd, who died May 25 at the hands of Minneapolis police, and Breonna Taylor, who was killed in March during a police raid of her apartment in Louisville.

Waqas Syed, Director of the California chapter of ICNA CSJ said that it is our sacred obligation as Muslims to stand up for justice and not remain silent in face of such blatant racism. “No Muslim can find a valid reason today, to not be on the right side of history” he added.

The large but peaceful rally was held in the afternoon on Wilshire Avenue near the Federal Building.

Khaaja Najmuddin, President of ICNA Southern California, said that the large crowds who rallied today behind a Muslim organization, show that we as a society, have come a long way, while the continued racism proves that we still have a long way to go.

The participants took the knee several times throughout protest and at one time lied face down, halting traffic, to symbolize the treatment of black victims by several police officers.

The Los Angeles Police Department blocked off several streets and freeway exits around the rally area to accommodate the protesters.

Saad Bholat, the lead organizer said that he was happy to see not just the peaceful nature of this rally but the willingness of such a huge crowd to follow the organizer’s guidelines requiring all to wear masks and avoid close contact per LA County COVID-19 precautions.

“KNOW JUSTICE, KNOW PEACE,” one of the marchers’ signs said. “To Be Silent Is To Be Complicit,” said another.

Noah Seifulah, ICNA Board Member and an Imam from Long Beach said that this is the defining moment for the American Muslim stance on social justice. He said history will be a witness to where we stood as a community when a marginal section of the society was engulfed in the struggle for equal rights.

“This overwhelming solidarity among the youth is motivating. I have never been inspired to rise and dedicate myself to this cause like today” said Suha Syed, a member of Young Muslims, ICNA’s youth division.

The rally had garnered publicity via social media and announcements on local radio and news outlets.

“We are thankful to not just the participants for following the organizer’s directives but also to the public for their patience and encouragement while traffic was halted several times during the protest.” added Syed.


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