MAS and ICNA plans to give away free school bags in Bensonhurst during the holy month of Ramadan

Aug. 26, 2010 - PRLog -- BROOKLYN, New York  - The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) and the Muslim American Society (MAS) plan to give out free school bags and school supplies to the Bensonhurst community this coming Sunday, August 29th 2010 at the MAS Youth Center, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. This initiative hopes to cater to the needs of low income families in the community- families under financial pressure, many having lost jobs and finding difficulty in buying school supplies for their children.

A total of 500 school bags containing notebooks, pens, pencils, sharpeners, erasers, rulers, crayons and more will be distributed. Hundreds of families are expected to attend this Sunday’s event. Last year, a similar event held at MAS’ Andalusia School in Yonkers N.Y., attracted many, with crowds filling the gymnasium.

This Brooklyn event is part of a larger scale project this month, which include giveaways also being hosted by ICNA in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, and Long Island. It also falls within MAS’ MAS Youth Give initiative, which includes nursing home visits, canned food drives, a City Meals on Wheels event, and weekly visits to soup kitchens in Manhattan by Muslim youth volunteers.

Besides abstaining from food and drink during daytime hours, the month of Ramadan gives special importance to increasing in charitable acts, in hopes that a month of increased kindness and piety will carry on into the rest of the year. Fasting in Ramadan also develops compassion for those who are poor and needy, thereby inspiring the act of giving. Through the “Back to School Giveaway”, ICNA and MAS hope to both help struggling families provide for their children and inspire the American Muslim community to partake in these commendable acts.

What: Back to School Giveaway

Who: Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) & Muslim American Society (MAS)

When: Sunday, August 29, 2010 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Where: MAS Youth Center, 1933 Bath Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11214

For more information, contact:
Lana Safah- Spokesperson, Muslim American Society of New York
E-mail: LanaSafah@gmail.com
Phone: (917) 669-1360

Omar Ranginwala- Outreach Director, Islamic Circle of North America- NY
E-mail: pr@icnany.org
Office: 646-820-ICNA (4262)

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The Islamic Circle of North America is an American Muslim organization dedicated to the betterment of society through promoting Islamic values. ICNA works to build community relations by devoting itself to education, outreach, and social service.