The Connection

Every November, the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation (MCMF) makes Thanksgiving dinner a reality for many families who cannot afford to purchase the many items needed for a bountiful Thanksgiving dinner. The organization’s dedication does not only provide for Thanksgiving meals, they feed the homeless at local shelters, provide holiday gift baskets for Christmas, assist seniors, and keep the pantry full at Manna all year long. The MCMF’s mission is to reduce the sufferings and hunger of less fortunate residents of Montgomery County regardless of their faith, race, color or ethnicity.

More than 200 community members were joined at the MCMF Nov. 14, annual fundraiser dinner by County Council President George Leventhal; Director of the Office of Community Partnership Bruce Adams; Interfaith Community Liaison Rev. Mansfield Kasey Kaseman; state Delegates Aruna Miller and Kumar Barve; and state Sen. Susan C. Lee. Leventhal complimented the MCMF for its extensive charitable work and efforts to help the needy: “Our county values so highly the work done by the MCMF to feed the hungry and assist the poor and elderly. MCMF is a great public example of the generosity and compassion that is fundamental to Islam.”

Several partner and recipient organizations were also represented at the dinner. They were, Shane Rock, CEO Interfaith Works and Pricilla Da Rocha, outreach coordinator for Interfaith Works, Idris Mokhtarzada from Manna Food Center and Tony and Joyce Seamans from Adventist Community Services.

“Need is not confined to any race, ethnicity, nationality, gender or faith. Poverty is indiscriminate, which makes the work of the MCMF even more critical for the community safety net,” Rock said. “MCMF serves the entire community, helping the most vulnerable in Montgomery County, regardless of their faith, to regain stability and hope. MCMF is a vital partner in the Interfaith Works service to those experiencing homelessness or poverty in Montgomery County.”

Mokhtarzada said, “By mobilizing the MCMF membership to conduct food drives for Manna, MCMF increases the possibility of ending hunger in our community, and we are grateful for their partnership.”

Seamans also had words of appreciation for the organization. “The meat from MCMF is such a blessing for the low-income residents of Takoma Park that we serve. Their food budgets are too low to afford much meat and the other food supplement programs seldom include meat.”

MCMF also provides nearly 200 seniors and handicapped individuals with meat.

Priscilla Da Rochas added, “Interfaith Clothing Center has referred many families to the MCMF Food Pantry. MCMF also partners with Interfaith to provide meals to the Wilkins Avenue Women’s Assessment Center — a 65-bed emergency shelter serving over 250 women each year.”

The highlight of the fundraising dinner was the recognition of 20 young Muslim volunteers for their tireless volunteer work at the MCMF food pantry, which provides food every month to more than 150 low-income seniors, to struggling families with children and to the disabled.

Fourth and fifth graders Naba Yazdeini, Hanya Shahzad and Amina Rashid spoke about how their experiences at the pantry were so meaningful. Rashid sold hand-made cards and donated all of her earnings to the pantry.

Kaseman commended the work of the youth volunteers. He said, “Listening to the volunteers and witnessing young people growing into their own humanity is just what the world needs today.”

Guest speaker for the evening was Rais Bhuiyan, an IT professional and founder of the nonprofit organization called “World Without Hate.” Bhuiyan, a post-911 hate crime victim, has embarked on a journey to promote global peace and reconciliation. His story — an accounting of two men bound by more than an act of violence — is chronicled in a book, “The True American,” by New York Times columnist Anand Giridharadas, soon to be released as a movie.

To learn more about MCMF go to www.mcmfmd.org.