Ibraheem’s Day Jan. 8 th 2007

1. Ibraheem’s DayJan. 8th 2007 An ICNA – HELPING HANDS Project A call to join Social Services on the Muslim Platform and be part of the fabric of the American Society

2. Objectives • To seek the pleasure of Allah, our Rabb • To warm the lives of those less fortunate. • To share in the bounties of Allah • To communicate to the Jews and Christians that we believe in Ibraheem • To make opportunity for Dawah conversations • To develop alliances for long-term relationships

3. Why this novelle idea ? • Muslims have always wanted their own platform • We need to lead the INTERFAITH efforts • We have more similarities to Ibraheem (on whom be peace) than the other faiths • It will bring muslims out in the public square • It will activate the audience of the masjid

4. Achievements for Muslims • Breaking the shackles of the inferiority complex • Changing their image in the public’s eye • Making their peace with their Lord, Allah • Cleaning out all extra-stuff in the house • Showing-off their culinary skills • Feeding the poor is the best part of Islam

5. Alliances with Non-Muslims • Solicit endorsements from various denominations and churches (NO Cost) • Tell them it is also free publicity for them • Approach the local synagogue and meet with the Rabbi • Look in the yellow pages or google for the local Domestic Violence Shelter or Homeless Soup Kitchen in your area • May Also approach non-faith based orgs. • Civic-minded individuals / Philanthropists

6. Long-Term Goals • Weave muslims as an integral part of the fabric of American Society • Create a network to draw upon in case of national emergencies • Co-operate and collaborate in future activities eg: DV, Homeless, Drugs, Teenage Pregnancy, Anti-War, alcoholism etc. • Creating opportunities for Dawah conversations

7. Combining with Membership Drive • Increase the number of active volunteers • Encourage joining ICNA • Plug people into a national organization • Show-case the talent of the muslims • Increase their Faith and hope • Empowerment / Emancipation • Introduction to the vision/ mission of ICNA

8. What is the first Step ? • Gather your core-group volunteers • Make presentation to the masjid people • Collect all addresses / e-mails of churches • Send e-mail or letter to the Priests/ Rabbis’ • Get Phone #s from Yellow Pages • Make phone-calls for endorsements • Sit-down with committee and make a plan

9. Second Step • Rent a storage unit for one month • Appeal to all muslims for clothes/ toys • Appeal to all muslims for 1/3 of Zabeeha meat • Purchase large outdoor stove from Camping store + gas cylinder • Book a van for one day – Jan.7th, 2007 • Involve YM- Young Muslim girls & boys

10. Activists’ Tool-Box • ICNA generic Form letter to invite endorsements / co-sponsorship. • 10 different ads for the newspapers • 5 radio-ads in American accent for this event. • 5 canned “Letters-to-the-Editor” to send for FREE publicity. • Yellow pages to call churches / synagogues, DV shelters, Soup kitchens

11. What to do 2 weeks before ? • Start fasting for Zil- Hijjah (10 days) • Distribute letter “We follow Ibraheem” • Pack all clothes received in box. • Finalize the places for distribution • INVOLVE all co-sponsors in meetings • Book library room or community center for meeting (usually FREE for non-profit organizations.)

12. What to do from Jan.1st ? • Collect meat and freeze in large walk-in coolers (muslim grocery stores) • Store clothes in the Rental unit • Repeat phone-calls to the DV shelters • Make more alliances (last minute too !) • Ask Imams, Priests, Rabbis to be present and to help in distribution • Call / Email local newspaper and TV station

13. Check-List before Jummah – Jan.6th 2007 • Repeat announcements after every Khutba • Remind all volunteers – girls and boys • Charge battery on video cameras • Iron your muslim costumes / make badges • Finalize responsibilities list / transportation • Unfold banner and encourage all muslims • Appeal for more toys, food, clothes, furniture

14. Mobilization of forces • Keep all cell phones ON • Get the rental vans – on the Saturday PM • Last final calls / email reminders • Boxes of dawah pamphlets / Ibraheem’s similarities pamphlets for FREE distribution • SAFETY meeting ONE night before • Discuss liability issues, missing children, FIRST AID box, accident prevention etc.

15. On Ibraheem’s Day • Make lots of duas for acceptance • Show up early – finish cooking • Empty the rental storage unit. • Volunteers take up positions • Welcome all the poor people • Make 3 long tables and lines • Food, Clothes, Toys

16. Distribution Foto-ops • Speeches by the 3 religions leaders • Speeches by endorsees / co-sponsors • Colorful clothes of singing children • Fotos of food distribution • Muslims to mingle with all others • Take group fotos with all the homeless • Hug the children of the women in DV

17. Bannering and Tables • Allows volunteers to converse with visitors • Distribution of WHYISLAM pamphlets • Allow INTERFAITH activities • Be tolerant of other faiths • Avoid overt pressure and proselytizing • Invite everybody to masjid for OPEN HOUSE

18. Follow-up Letters of Thanx • Make Excel sheet to facilitate labels • Do not forget anybody (even if they did not show up) • Focus on the positives and ask for long-term relationship / alliance • Offer your help and co-operation for their civic events • Mention God, Muhammad and Ibraheem at least 3-4 times in the letter • Quote 1 ayat and at least 2 hadeeth in the letter

19. Membership Drive • Make database in excel of all attendees • Make separate database of all volunteers • Hold a pot-luck party in a masjid hall or community center • Prepare certificates (authentic) that they can put up at their work-place cubicles • Recognize extra-effort with a plaque (usually able to engrave it at a sports shop) • Introduce ICNA and invite to join

20. Consolidation of teams • Give a plan for the rest of the year. • Continue feeding poor once / month • Use a sub-set for Dawah • Use a sub-set for civil advocacy • Use a sub-set for INTERFAITH • Use a sub-set for Muslim improvements • Empower the youth – girls and boys • Give everybody some work to do

21. Post-Mortem Meeting • Ja’aizah and Ehtesaab • Enumerate all the good points • Gather all suggestions for improvement • No harsh criticisms allowed • No name-calling or finger-pointing • Need good notes to rely on for next year • No rebuttals or defenses allowed against anybody • Involve food at meeting to encourage attendance

22. Evaluate and change for next year’s event • Make resolutions to keep on record • Explore opportunities through the whole year • Bank on the positive “can-do” attitude of the volunteers • Since they have done it once, they know they have been there and can do it again.

23. Repeat again in 2008 • Questions ? • Suggestions ? • Ideas ?

24. Thankyou for your patient listening ! Also, we are grateful for your active participation ! May Almighty Allah bless you for your efforts ! AAmeen !