The 2020 has been a difficult year for many with the COVID-19 pandemic creating an unparalleled public health and economic crisis across the globe.
While some are able to survive somehow, many are left struggling to secure food for their families.
Islamic charities and Muslim communities around the world have stepped in with efforts to help the less fortunate during this difficult time.
📚 Read Also: San Antonio Mosque Provides Free COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing
In San Antonio, Texas, a local Islamic center held a food giveaway to help families affected by the pandemic.
Amid a recent surge in cases, members of the Northside Islamic Center of San Antonio (NICSA) united to give back to the community and feed nearly 40 families in a food giveaway held on Sunday, November 21.
“The purpose was to give back to the community and help out families during these difficult times particularly as Thanksgiving approaches,” Abdul Hakim Hamid, the Imam and Resident Scholar at NICSA told News 4 San Antonio.
“Due to the Pandemic, not only have many people lost their jobs and are having difficulty providing for their families but also due to social distancing, we expect that many families may not be able to gather together this year and we felt that by doing this, it may provide some level comfort and ease.”
Hopes
Hakim hopes to continue distributing food across San Antonio.
“We plan on taking the leftover supplies and distributing them in other parts of the city amongst locals as well as refugee communities as well,” he said.
“We definitely are planning on hosting similar events such as this in the future although we may seek in partnering with other organizations to maximize impact and reach.
“In times of adversity, our faith is tested by God to differentiate between those who will persevere in doing good and those who may give up hope altogether. So, I hope that we can all come together and support each other in becoming the best versions of ourselves,” he added.
Islam recognizes the importance of food security and, thus, deems it a great blessing that we should value, appreciate and pursue.
Allah says in the Qur’an, {Let them worship the Lord of this House, Who has fed them, [saving them] from hunger and made them safe from fear.} (Quraish 106: 3-4)
Solidarity among the community members is one of the strategies that Islam uses to combat hunger.