Our 2013 Year in a Glance!
WNYMuslims serves the Western New York community by creating awareness, encouraging diversity, and providing service. We empower Muslims and non-Muslims alike with the means to voice, connect, and contribute through creative media. In the past year, 2013, we were able to hold a few great events, serve our community, create a ton of videos, collaborate with amazing organizations and community members, grow our weekly e-newsletter to the community, and more. So here’s a small glimpse of what we did this year…. Enjoy!
MUSLIM JOURNEYS ADULT READING AND DISCUSSION PROGRAM
WNYMuslims was excited to host four events as part of the adult reading and discussion program, ‘Muslim Journeys.’,The program was made possible through the award of a NY Council for the Humanities Adult Reading and Discussion grant which is part of the National Endowment for the Humanities Bridging Cultures initiative. Professor Faizan Haq of the University at Buffalo was the scholar facilitator for the discussions. The program was co-sponsored by the University at Buffalo’s Cora P. Maloney College. The three books chosen were: Acts of Faith: the Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation by Eboo Patel, Minaret by Leila Aboulela and How Does It Feel to Be a Problem?: Being Young and Arab in America by Moustafa Bayoumi.
WINTER BLANKET DRIVE
WNYMuslims is currently promoting its Second Annual Winter Drive, which started November 8th and will end on January 31st of 2014. WNYMuslims is collecting items and money to help a local non-profit Vive Inc continue to provide its services to the community. Vive is an organization that provides people with the support and services they need to rebuild their lives. Currently, they have sixteen refugee and immigrant families.
SERVICE WEEK
WNYMuslims and the University at Buffalo’s Muslim Student Association took part in its first ever ‘Summer of Service’ Week, July 1st – 8th. Dozens of volunteers came out to help with projects at multiple locations throughout the city. Projects included cleanup and landscaping at the Islamic Society of Niagara Frontier, helping a refugee family new to the area move into their new home with International Institute, and assembling food baskets for families in need with Project Noor. Other organizations that participated include the Buffalo city Mission and the Learning Disabilities Association. Not only was it an awesome way to unite with the community, but a kickoff to the blessed month of Ramadan by our acts of charity!
ROSES OF THE PROPHET
WNYMuslims hosted “Roses of The Prophet: iLove.” on Wednesday April 3, 2013. We distributed hundreds of roses, along with inspirational quotes from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to community members. The event took a place at both the University at Buffalo North Campus Student Union and Lafayette Square in Downtown Buffalo from 11 am to 2 pm. WNYMuslims also dropped off a bucket of roses for patients at Sisters Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital.
NO APOLOGY SCREENINGS
WNYMuslims produced a short video “No Apology” which provided a platform for young Muslims to speak out about the discrimination and stereotypes they feel are exacerbated by the media. In the media generally crimes committed by Muslims are associated with the religion, while crimes committed by non-Muslims are attributed to mental disease with no mention of the individual(s) religious affiliation.
WNYMuslims hosted a premiere on Thursday, August 29th at UB North Campus Student, then a screening in Rochester, Saturday, November 23rd at Islamic Center of Rochester.
EID ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Offered free ice cream to the community to promote diversity as part of “Celebrating Eid with Free Ice-Cream” on Saturday, October 19th. Children played games, got air balloon animals, enjoyed ice cream and won prizes.
Other mentions?
All of our ‘Capturing History’ videos, Our amazing Lauren Booth interview, Our very popular ‘Dabke Flashmob video’, All of our community contributed blogs and photos, our wonderful interns and volunteers, our upcoming short video ‘Shoe Thief’, our new website launch, lots of presentations, free community self defense training classes, and much much more!
Thank you for a wonderful year and all of your support! We can’t wait to grow and soar in 2014!