New York: ICNA-Relief New York, a representative organization in the Muslim-American community hosted the annual fundraising dinner in the Bronx.
ICNA Relief North East and New York’s team including Arshad Jamal, Ishaq Alpar, Maoz Asad Siddiqui, Chaudhry Anwar Gujjar played an important role in organizing the dinner held at Grand Roosevelt Hall.
The ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Muhammad Haider Shah had the privilege of reciting the verses of the Qur’an, while Syed Jan Bukhari recited Naat-e-Rasool PBUH.
A large number of prominent personalities and members of the Muslim American community, including Pakistanis, Bengalis, and others from different walks of life participated in the Annual event of ICNA Relief New York in Brooklyn.
Shabbir Gull, a community leader who has been serving the Bronx for more than two decades through the platform of INCA Relief, could not attend due to illness, but his services were honored throughout the event. A special prayer was offered for his speedy recovery.
At the ceremony, Shabbir Gull was honored with a special award by the Bronx Borough President’s Office in his absence. Community leaders Amir Razak, Kharo Baig, Mah Noor Jawara and Arshad Jamal received the award on his behalf.
The event was moderated by Mah Noor Jawara. Welcoming the participants, She said that along with the increase in the number of Muslim American community in the Bronx, there has also been an increase in the philanthropic and religious services for the community through the platform of ICNA Relief.
Arshad Jamal, president of ICNA Relief North East, said the organization has been serving the New Yorkers for years without discrimination in various fields from the including food pantry, transition home, back to school programs. These activities are possible because of all the community support.
The keynote speaker of the fundraising dinner, Islamic scholar Yahya Jo Kuma from Dallas, Texas, said that whatever we have, it is given by Allah Almighty. Spend your wealth in the way of Allah from the wealth given by Allah. Its reward is also great.
During the fundraising dinner, Imam Muhammad Hameedur Rehman also highlighted the importance of the services of God’s people in the light of Quran and Hadith.
Zainab Sulaiman Butt, a teenage student from Bronx (New York), impressed everyone with her speech. She said that “Allah says that if you help a needy person in my name, I will give you many times.”
While addressing, the female Islamic scholars of the Pakistani American community, Kausar Zubair and Nabila Ahmed said that we are proud of our female sisters from the Bronx who are now actively participating in the humanitarian services.
In this program, Javad Sharif, son of famous actor Umar Sharif and president of Umar Sharif Foundation, appreciated the works of ICNA Relief and assured full cooperation.
ICNA Relief presented special awards to women community members Asifa Tahir, Bushra Iqbal, Yasmin Dar and Khadija Nana Bawa in recognition of their services.
Chaudhry Amir Razzaq and Mirza Khawar Baig, two prominent figures in the Pakistani American community, were also presented with special awards in recognition of their “services in the field of civic engagement.
Muhammad Majinder was presented with the Civic Work Award. Bronx Borough President’s Office Other leaders of the Bronx Muslim community, Manzoor Chaudhry, Imam Hameedur Rehman Ashraf and Ahmed Haroon were also awarded with awards.
In the end, Arshad Jamal, Anwar Gujjar, Maoz Asad Siddiqui, Ishaq Alper of ICNA Relief Team thanked all the participants of the fund raising.
