Donation protected
My name is Margari Hill and I am the Programming Director of Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative. Through our outreach and advocacy work, I have had the pleasure of meeting a Native American Muslim family living in North Dakota who needs our help. The family of four, with a toddler and a baby on the way, are some of the most God fearing and humble people I have met. The brother has been very active in helping numerous Muslims visiting Sacred Stone Camp, Oceti Sakowin, and Standing Rock Reservation from across the country. The mother is working and staying in a small hotel in Pierre, ND with their daughters, but the hotel is too small for everyone. The brother longs to be reunited with his family, while supporting his co-religionists and Native community in the prayer camp. The main purpose of our effort is to assist this hardworking family to get on their feet by providing stable transportation and assistance to relocate to a city where husband and wife can find gainful employment. This American Muslim family is homeless and without transportation and they need help from our ummah.
With the growing awareness of Native American issues, many people are focused on providing relief to the camp, but often overlook that local Native Americans face catastrophic rates of unemployment and need direct services to fight homelessness and malnutrition, like this family faces.
Yet many people would not know of this family’s needs because they are modest. Allah tells us in the Qur'an:
(Charity is) for those in need, who, in Allah's cause are restricted (from travel), and cannot move about in the land, seeking (For trade or work): the ignorant man thinks, because of their modesty, that they are free from want. Thou shalt know them by their (Unfailing) mark: They beg not importunately from all the sundry. And whatever of good ye give, be assured Allah knoweth it well. (2:273)
They need transportation, especially with the upcoming bitter winter with temperatures dropping 30 degrees below freezing. They have a car, but it needs to have a wheel replaced and new tires. His wife and young daughter need new clothing, as well as personal hygiene items. The brother is very hardworking and industrious. Recently, the brother graduated from a local college. Yet, a college degree in the area is not enough. He is still struggling. When we approached him for his basic needs, he humbly requested assistance in restocking oils for his side business so that he could cover cost of gas, food, and laundry.
We are hoping that, through crowdfunding, we can raise the first $2,500 to help get the family mobile and repair their car repairs. With your help, we can reach this goal, then raise $5,000 more to get them to permanent housing. In many reservations, the unemployment rate is 80%. The harsh economic conditions combined with police surveillance of Natives in the area due to #NoDAPL resistance against the Dakota Access Pipeline have added extra stress. In addition, many non-Natives have travelled to the area and remained without a means to sustain themselves. As a result,they have put extra pressure on social services and aid organizations to feed them daily, and local Native American families are getting even less help for basic social services. Muhammad (s.a.w.) said: The parable of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is that of a body. When any limb aches, the whole body reacts with sleeplessness and fever” (Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 5665). The situation of our beloved brother and sister should break our heart. They are worthy of our zakat. Allah tells us in the Qur’an:
The alms (Zakat in this specific verse?s case) are meant only for the poor and the needy and those who are in charge thereof, those whose hearts are to be reconciled; and to free those in bondage, and to help those burdened with debt, and for expenditure in the way of Allah and for the wayfarer. This is an obligation from Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (9:60)
If one hundred of our friends and family members each of us give $25, we'll be so close to our goal of $2,626. And 75 people giving a $100 we can make the entire goal. If you are interested in giving a gift card or other ways to support the family, please email us.
We need to try to raise the funds by November 30th.
Jazak Allah kheir!
With deepest gratitude,
Margari
With the growing awareness of Native American issues, many people are focused on providing relief to the camp, but often overlook that local Native Americans face catastrophic rates of unemployment and need direct services to fight homelessness and malnutrition, like this family faces.
Yet many people would not know of this family’s needs because they are modest. Allah tells us in the Qur'an:
(Charity is) for those in need, who, in Allah's cause are restricted (from travel), and cannot move about in the land, seeking (For trade or work): the ignorant man thinks, because of their modesty, that they are free from want. Thou shalt know them by their (Unfailing) mark: They beg not importunately from all the sundry. And whatever of good ye give, be assured Allah knoweth it well. (2:273)
They need transportation, especially with the upcoming bitter winter with temperatures dropping 30 degrees below freezing. They have a car, but it needs to have a wheel replaced and new tires. His wife and young daughter need new clothing, as well as personal hygiene items. The brother is very hardworking and industrious. Recently, the brother graduated from a local college. Yet, a college degree in the area is not enough. He is still struggling. When we approached him for his basic needs, he humbly requested assistance in restocking oils for his side business so that he could cover cost of gas, food, and laundry.
We are hoping that, through crowdfunding, we can raise the first $2,500 to help get the family mobile and repair their car repairs. With your help, we can reach this goal, then raise $5,000 more to get them to permanent housing. In many reservations, the unemployment rate is 80%. The harsh economic conditions combined with police surveillance of Natives in the area due to #NoDAPL resistance against the Dakota Access Pipeline have added extra stress. In addition, many non-Natives have travelled to the area and remained without a means to sustain themselves. As a result,they have put extra pressure on social services and aid organizations to feed them daily, and local Native American families are getting even less help for basic social services. Muhammad (s.a.w.) said: The parable of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is that of a body. When any limb aches, the whole body reacts with sleeplessness and fever” (Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 5665). The situation of our beloved brother and sister should break our heart. They are worthy of our zakat. Allah tells us in the Qur’an:
The alms (Zakat in this specific verse?s case) are meant only for the poor and the needy and those who are in charge thereof, those whose hearts are to be reconciled; and to free those in bondage, and to help those burdened with debt, and for expenditure in the way of Allah and for the wayfarer. This is an obligation from Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (9:60)
If one hundred of our friends and family members each of us give $25, we'll be so close to our goal of $2,626. And 75 people giving a $100 we can make the entire goal. If you are interested in giving a gift card or other ways to support the family, please email us.
We need to try to raise the funds by November 30th.
Jazak Allah kheir!
With deepest gratitude,
Margari
Organizer and beneficiary
Margari Hill
Organizer
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Louis Butcher
Beneficiary