MAS Service Corps Conducts the
4th National Udhiyah Meat Drive for Needy
US Muslims Fighting Poverty, Regardless of Faith

For More Information, Contact:
Ahmed Elkhaldy, MSC Executive Director (319-533-2450)
Vicki Habhab, MSC campaign manager (319-533-0307)

Cedar Rapids, IA – December 22nd, 2008 – The Creator says, “And they feed, for the love of Allah, the indigent, the orphan, and the captive. (Saying) We feed you for the sake of Allah alone: no reward do we desire from you, nor thanks.” (Qur’an 76:8,9).

The Muslim American Society Service Corps, MSC is conducting their 4th National MSC Udhiyah Meat Drive. This campaign is timed to coincide with the ritual sacrifices of ‘Eid ul-Adha which commemorates the life of the Prophet Abraham, peace and blessing of God be upon him.

The project is done on behalf of Muslims who designate their ‘Eid donation or “Udhiyah/Qurbani” to the needy of their community, regardless of their faith or ethnicity. Beef cattle, lamb, and goat were slaughtered on December 8 and 9, 2008 according to Islamic tradition.

“This year over 10,000 lbs of meat for the total of 266 Udhiyah were donated through MAS Service Corps by Muslim families”. Said Vicki Habhab, MSC campaign manager”

14 MAS chapters and 5 major Islamic centers and Mosques participated this year and there are many unique distribution events taking place in cities across the nation.

57 Udhiyah by MAS Iowa, 10 by MAS Phoenix, AR, 11 by MAS Toledo, OH, 9 by MAS Alabama, 10 by MAS Raleigh, NC, 25 by MAS S. Florida, 13 by MAS Kansas City, MO, 49 by MAS DC Metropolitan area, 26 by MAS Austen, TX, 10 by MAS DFW, TX, 7 by MAS Milwaukee, WI, 10 by MAS Chicago, IL, 6 by MAS Queens, NY and 23 Udhiyah by MAS Syracuse, NY.

MAS Washington DC Metropolitan area reports, “Our chapter will be distributing the Udhiyah meat, which is more than 1600 Lbs, beginning Saturday December 20th 2008 to Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center Social services, Homeless shelters, Volunteers Of America, Soup Kitchens, and needy families and individuals. Also, 750 healthy meals will be prepared and distributed to the needy individuals”. said Dr. Akram Elzend, MAS DC outreach coordinator.

Lulu Abdallah of MAS Raleigh, NC reports, “Our Raleigh North Carolina Chapter will be distributing the Udhiya meat on December 20th. All the volunteers are going to meet at our MAS office @ 10:30am. There we will break up in groups and distribute the meet to different locations (food bank, Masjid food pantry, refugees, and homeless shelters). Those groups will then carpool to a local grocery store to pick up their meat from the freezers. After the event we plan on having a social gathering with light refreshments for the volunteers. We are hoping to attract the media and new volunteers to the MAS office during this event.”

MAS Austin sponsored 26 shares and plans the following, “… we are planning on distributing the meat on Saturday 12/20. We will hold a community service project getting the youth and volunteers to wrap the meat into individual bags, and transport it with ice coolers for distribution, mainly to refugees and needy families and individuals. We will also distribute to some shelters”. Said Samer El-Haj-Mahmoud, MAS Austin outreach coordinator.

A universally compassionate faith, Islam teaches mankind that there is no distinction between a hungry Muslim and a hungry non-Muslim. A person who is suffering here in America is just as deserving as someone who is in distress elsewhere.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Those interested in volunteering for the MAS Service Corps or donating to the Meat Drive may contact MAS Service Corps toll free at 877-MSC-0888 – PO Box 10121 Cedar Rapids, IA 52410 Tel.: (319) 892-0256