NEW YORK – A North America umbrella Islamic group has hosted a coat drive earlier this month to offer some warmth to Long Island needy and homeless.

Shahid Farooqi, the Islamic Circle of North America Relief (ICNA) relief director of expansion, organized the event to coincide with Thanksgiving.

“Now’s the best time to share whatever you have,” he told Long Island Herald.

Organizing the event, ICNA teamed up with Muslim Youth of Long Island and Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages.

To set up the drive, Farooqi set up donation boxes at various mosques. He said that it is an Islamic ideal to share with your neighbor.

“The Messenger of God, Muhammed (peace and blessings be upon him), says: He is not a believer who eats his fill while his neighbor beside him goes hungry,” Farooqi explained in an email to the Herald.

According to Solages, more than 200 people attended to receive comforters, coats, gloves, hats, backpacks and warm pre-packaged food.

“I did not expect that many people to come out,” he said. “It was just amazing.”

ICNA Relief USA is a non-profit organization that seeks to help build communities.

Its services include 15 shelters for women, 26 food pantries, seven counseling centers, six free medical clinics and four refugee empowerment centers.