Service in aid of Islam has not been a topic of much positive discussion this Ramadan. That’s a pity because Ramadan has traditionally been a time of giving, bringing blessings to those who open their pockets and bringing help to those in need. While it is important to follow advice to be careful and ensure that our charity is used for beneficial purposes, the poor are ever present. Good Muslims must find ways to reduce the misery of the less fortunate in our society.
That is exactly what the volunteers of the Islamic Dawa and Guidance Center, based in Dammam, are doing. Each day during Ramadan the Islamic Dawa and Guidance Center hosts iftar for more than 4,000 men in three locations in the Eastern Province. All in need, Muslims and non-Muslims, are welcomed to share a meal made up of dates, water, juice, yoghurt, chicken and rice. The spirit of brotherhood and sharing is the theme of each day’s fast breaking.
“We are very happy that this year we have expanded our services,” said Turki Al-Qahtani, director, Dawa and Guidance Center’s Al-Faisaliah Iftar Camp. “Last year we offered meals to 600 men at one location but this year we are serving 4,000 men at three locations — Al-Faisaliah area near Furqan Mosque, Al-Khaldea area and the Second Industrial City. Of course, everything including transport to and from the iftar camps is free of charge. We have even managed to bring zamzam water in quantity to offer everyone the chance to break their fast with this blessing from Allah.”
The iftar camps are complex operations and are only possible due to the Dawa and Guidance Center’s strong ties to the community. The center operates year round thanks to the services of over 30 volunteers. The center is focused on education about Islam and makes available guidance on Islamic and social topics in 15 languages. Volunteers from the center are actively involved in community outreach initiatives, visiting hospitals, prisons, homes for the aged, labor camps, factories and other locations to spread the good news about Islam and to offer their services. Last year the group was happy to assist 354 non-Muslims in embracing Islam and supporting them in gaining the best knowledge about their faith. In total, Dammam’s Dawa and Guidance Center has supported about 3,000 individuals of different nationalities in embracing Islam. The group has also distributed more than three million books about Islam and social issues, plus 30,000 interpretations of the Holy Qur’an in 11 languages.
“We are not a group interested in being a part of the community life only during Ramadan,” said Al-Qahtani. “We are active in the Eastern Province every day of the year. While we offer the majority of our services to men, we have been able to host some special events for women. For example, last year we held a lecture for non-Muslim nurses in Dammam to help them understand more about Islam. We hope that our discussion with them gave them good facts about Islam, changed any misperceptions they might have and also, perhaps, helped them to be more understanding of the Muslim patients they serve at the hospitals and clinics.”
Al-Qahtani stated that when all facets of the iftar operations are considered, this year’s Iftar Camps required a budget of SR5 per meal served. That budget was donated in cash and kind by businessmen and philanthropists in the Eastern Province.
“I want to emphasize that our Iftar Camps are serving only the needy of the Eastern Province, supported with generous donations from local businesses and philanthropists,” explained Al-Qahtani. “In accordance with the latest regulations we can provide receipts directly from the suppliers showing our purchases to the halala. Detailed accountings have been given to all those who donated to the iftar program. We are truly grateful to all the Muslims who have contributed to making this year’s program a success and pray that Allah gives them the greatest blessings.”
Al-Qahtani is quite a realist about the Iftar Camps.
“We know that the majority of the men coming to the camps are there for the free meals,” he said. “That is acceptable to us. As we wait for the call to Maghreb each day, we take the opportunity to speak to our guests in their own languages on many Islamic and social topics. We discuss with them the goodness of Islam, the blessings of the holy month of Ramadan, the benefits gained from prayer and many other topics. We have trained professionals from Madinah’s Islamic University who speak before the iftar in Urdu, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali and Tagalog in order to reach out to the men and offer them knowledge, but there is no compulsion. Once or twice a week after Maghreb, we hold a contest on Islamic knowledge at which small prizes are given to the winners. We want our guests to feel happy and comfortable coming to break their fast with us.”
This week the Dawa and Guidance Center will host one of its highlights of the year when volunteers from the group will join with more than 40 new Muslims journeying to Makkah for Umrah. The center will cover all the costs for the new Muslims during the four-day trip. Al-Qahtani added that it is hoped that the experience of making their first Umrah in an atmosphere of support and generosity will strengthen the faith of these new brothers in Islam.
After one week of hectic activity from early morning into the night, Al-Qahtani is still full of energy. He said he takes strength from knowing that he is working for the good of the community and the good of his faith. “I am only doing my small part,” he remarked.
Now he is looking further ahead toward the special Eid activities the Dawa and Guidance Center will be hosting. Starting immediately after the Eid prayer, the group will organize breakfast and lunch for the needy and an entire day of activities. Al-Qahtani ([email protected]) invites all interested individuals to participate. Ramadan Kareem.