This is not just about a garden. This is a Green Muslim Initiative to color our awareness to the majesty of our Creator and to provide a sustainable pipeline of healthy food to those in our community who are in need.

Why This Matters ...

The emerging movement towards growing and purchasing local, organic produce has generated interest in community gardens, especially in cities around the Bay Area where residents lack access to arable land. Aside from the health benefits of eating naturally grown produce, the movement as a whole has created several positive impacts in the communities they serve, including revitalizing neighborhoods and fostering a new generation to make more conscious food choices.

Places of worship are a natural extension. Developing community gardens to serve both their congregations and the general public are a great way to give life to mosques and Islamic Centers in the Bay Area. Generally their facilities are situated on large open lots that are able to be easily converted into small-scale gardens or into larger agricultural plots. The congregations they serve also possess a diverse range of skills that are able to build, create and maintain an ongoing garden.

After the garden is established, it becomes a beacon for the community by providing educational and recreational opportunities for children and seniors, raises awareness about how our food is grown and physically connects the spiritual teachings with the natural word. The produce that is cultivated can be donated as a fresh alternative to local food banks or used in soup kitchens to feed those less fortunate

The Impact ...

Community gardening is a rich and rewarding experience that allows you to share the joys of the outdoors while meditating over the signs of Allah’s creation. The initial investment multiplies in the following years and creates a lasting legacy that can be enjoyed by all in the community. 

There is a three-tiered goal for this project:

• Community Connectivity: Raising the volunteerism and community spirit in the Islamic Centers in service of the larger American society.
• Educating Sustainability: Learning about healthy eating and gardening, which can help us in starting a garden at home.
• God's Bounties: Appreciation of nature, the environment and Allah’s blessings upon us.
  

The Maiden Voyage ...

In a collaborative effort, MAS Bay Area Give and the Muslim Community Center in Santa Clara have created an enclosed garden on the north end of the mosque. The area provides good sun exposure during the majority of daytime.

How You Can Help

While there are many benefits to community gardening, there is also a lot of preparation that goes into developing and planning before the first shovel hits the ground. This includes forming a dedicated team to take ownership of the garden, reaching out to mosques and Islamic Centers in the Bay Area to find shovel-ready sites, developing and designing the garden, taking an inventory of the materials needed, securing the necessary funding and ensuring continued support for the garden in future years.

1. Personally invest in this green story by donating to this campaign today. Donations are tax exempt under MAS Bay Area, which is the umbrella organization organizing this effort.

2. Please make dua for this crowdfunding campaign.

3. Share the campaign with your friends! Post this on your Facebook and like our page to follow our progress! Tweet all about this campaign!

4. Join the MAS Bay Area mailing list and receive updates about this and other projects.