MUSLIM YOUTH MARK DECADE OF VOLUNTEERISM

Cairo, 16 Shawwal 1436/1 August 2015 (MINA) – Engaging young Muslim children in community work since young age, a Muslim women group in Texas has celebrated a decade of work in integrating young kids in voluntary works, working with various interfaith and NGOs throughout the Dallas area.

“We are really proud of them,” Mona Kafeel, Chief Operating Officer of the Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, told the Dallas Morning Herald on Thursday, July 30. On Islam quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

“I think these are amazing young girls.”

The Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation started its youth wing 10 years ago to answer growing demands of engaging young Muslim kids in the community.

Welcoming boys and girls of any faith, the group provides volunteer opportunities for kids ages 7 and up, working with various interfaith and nonprofit organizations throughout the Dallas area.

The group is led by Alaa Khurram, a sophomore at Plano ISD’s Jasper High School; Soha Rizvi, a sophomore in Plano East Senior High School’s IB program; Izzah Zaheer, a sophomore at Allen High School; and Alizay Azeem, a freshman at Allen High School’s Lowery Center.

Working for a decade in Dallas, the youth group became a permanent partner in community-service days such as the National Day of Service, Humanitarian Day and the Day of Dignity.

The group also takes part in monthly events for local charities.

“We like to do something different each month, so it’s not like food pantries all the time,” co-youth leader Azeem said. “We like to spread out.”

The group volunteers by cleaning up White Rock Lake or feeding the homeless, as they helped package food for food pantries and played bingo with elderly residents at the Heritage Gardens nursing home in Carrollton.

“At times, when you go to certain places, you may find your future career there, you make some friends there,” Kafeel said.

“And Heritage Gardens was one when they first went, they were very nervous. They came out of their comfort zone, and I think that has been their favorite activity so far, spending time with seniors.” (T/P007/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)