Dawud Walid is the Executive Director of the Michigan branch of
the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI). He is frequently quoted in the media regarding civil and
human rights issues facing Muslims and has penned articles that have
appeared in various publications.
It is refreshing to see the American
Muslim community's vigor in stepping up to assist Haitian victims of
the catastrophic earthquake, which recently took place.
Large charities like
Islamic Relief USA
to small mosques are continuing to raise large sums of money on
behalf of Haitians. In fact, the community has even rallied to hold
an online fundraiser with notable community leaders participating
such as
Imam Zaid Shakir and Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.
The American Muslim community has
rallied on many occassions to help victims of natural disasters such
as Indonesian and Bangladeshi tsunami victims. This occasion,
however, is unprecedented to my knowledge because unlike those
natural disasters in which the majority of the victims were Muslims,
less than 1% of Haitians are Muslims.
Our hearts ache for other human beings,
who are suffering due to our spirituality and human sensitivities.
We should also understand that this sensitivity should be displayed
more as a means of clarifying to the misinformed public about what the
teachings of Al-Islam truly embody.
Prophet Muhammad (Prayers and Peace be upon him and his family) stated, “The
best of the people is he who benefits people.”
Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) stated,
“Hearts are inclined to love whoever does good [for them].”
In such difficult times, giving sincere
assistance to Haitians may do a hundred times more good in changing
the public perception of Muslims than having open houses in mosques
or passing out da'wah pamphlets.
Let's keep this up and expand this work
at home such as helping to find remedies for the twenty-five percent
of American children who are malnourished. People need us, and the
image of Al-Islam demands that we step up to the plate.
