Originally published in San Jose Mercury News – El Cerrito Journal
Recently, Americans countrywide rang in the New Year with joyful celebrations and came together for the annual struggle to fulfill some ambitious New Year’s resolutions.
Starting a rigorous workout regimen for that enviable beach bod? Impressive. Traveling more and experiencing our earth’s natural beauty? Respectable. Helping the community in a national effort of service? Now we’re talking.
My resolution? As a Muslim youth in a country surprisingly rampant with poverty and hunger, I hope to make an impact in a national service effort by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association. The Prophet Muhammad has exhorted us, as Muslims, to “feed the hungry and visit the sick” and that a Muslim’s shade on the day of judgment will be his charity.
Our goal is to double the number of people fed in 2014 by feeding 100,000 people this year and collect 5,000 units of blood as compared to close to 3,000 units of blood collected last year, with an additional focus on helping the elderly and victims of abuse.
As a Muslim, and an American, I wish that we can all achieve all our goals, and I wish you all a happy New Year. Hopefully, you will find me on the front lines collecting blood bags and feeding the hungry, and maybe rocking my New Year’s beach bod as well.
