as'salaamu alaykum,

I recently sat with a mother and her daughter who told me about how difficult their lives have been because of the abusive nature of a man in their lives who has left them and two other young children broken in so many ways.  The mother's words poured out in a flurry as the daughter sat in silence, her only communication being an occasional nod to affirm the details that her mother shared of how terrifying their home life is like.  

This family is looking for a new start and need help to rebuild their entire lives.  New phone numbers, new credit cards, a new place to live - everything has to change so that they are protected and can live the lives that they are entitled to live. For the purposes of their privacy, safety, and wellness, I am keeping their identity anonymous but can personally vouch for their circumstances.

To make a contribution of support towards our sister please visit https://www.launchgood.com/SupportOurSister

Why it Matters 

Domestic Violence is haraam - clear and simple.  Our challenge today is to move beyond simple rhetoric and live our faith.  Even if we as individuals are not ourselves committing this vile act of injustice, we are helping perpetuate it by remaining quiet, standing by, and not helping those in need. 

Whether talk about or not, it is common knowledge that domestic violence is a big problem in many of our communities, so I urge each of us to take a look at our own hearts and ask ourselves what is compelling us to stand by and allow these atrocities to continue? 

Put this into perspective: We are talking about a woman and children who have been regularly beaten and abused by a man who has no real idea of what it means to be a man. 

While there is no amount of money that ever make what happened go away, they need our support. You will always have a special place in her prayers for your support in her family's time of need and their collective gratitude for your support will always have you remembered.  

To make a contribution of support towards our sister please visit https://www.launchgood.com/SupportOurSister

The Project

Funds from this project will help this family have a much needed stability as they restart their life.  The money provided will go towards shelter, food, and basic needs and necessities.  My hope is to cover a year of living expenses Insha'Allah, if not more.  All funds raised will go directly to them.  

How You Can Help 

Give whatever you can. Whether its $1, $5 ...  $5000, every bit will make a difference.  And please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers..  May Allah reward you for your generosity and give you and your loved ones only the best in this world and in the next.  Ameen. 

To make a contribution of support towards our sister please visit https://www.launchgood.com/SupportOurSister

Our Islamic Center at NYU has raised more than $400,000 for the Rohingya refugees of Myanmar and I wanted to invite you to be a part of the campaign at launchgood.com/ICNYU4Myanmar and help spread the word on it.  

I went to visit the Rohingya refugee camps shortly after they opened the border between Myanmar and Bangladesh last August.  I was able to spend time with so many orphans, widows, and grieving families who witnessed loved one after loved one killed in front of their eyes through the state-sanctioned genocide and ethnic cleansing.  There wasn't one  refugee who could tell me that they hadn't seen loved ones burned alive in front of their eyes. Not one that could tell me that they hadn't seen friends, family, and neighbors shot or slit at the throats. Not one that could tell me that they hadn't been separated from people they know and love. It's arguably the worst humanitarian crisis taking place in the world today. 

Contributions are tax-deductible and zakat-eligible.  Please do give what you can at  launchgood.com/ICNYU4Myanmar and keep the Rohingya people in your thoughts and prayers. 

Thanks fam. Hope you and your loved ones are well.
- Khalid