NEW JERSEY – Every Sunday, poor people, the homeless and needy queue in the same place in Paterson, New Jersey, awaiting an American Muslim who donates free healthy hot meal.
This is part of the work of a nonprofit named “Humble Beginnings” which was started in 2012 by Akbar McEntyre to offer help to the local community.
The efforts of McEntyre were shared in a video shot by Ahmed Eid, a Muslim filmmaker and photographer on Facebook.
“Brother Akbar is an inspiration. He is a selfless human who loves his community and works harder than anyone I know,” Eid wrote on Facebook on Tuesday, May 16.
“He uses his personal van to help distribute food very Sunday to people less fortunate in Paterson, New Jersey.”
The notion of giving, especially giving and helping those in need, is so entrenched in Islam.
The personal sacrifice of giving one’s possessions, no matter how small, for the sake of helping those in need is a blessing and means purifying our souls and wealth.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Protect yourself from hell-fire even by giving a piece of date as charity.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Video curtsy: Ahmed Eid.