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Eid Approaches: Pay Your Zakat Al Fitr from Home with MHS
As we journey through the holy nights of the last third of Ramadan, Eid celebrations loom on the horizon, and the rush to pay Zakat Al Fitr (Fitrana) before the mandatory Eid prayers becomes evident. We humbly encourage all members of our community to fulfil this obligation, knowing that our contributions will make a meaningful difference in the lives of others locally.
In light of this, MHS facilitates the process of Zakat Al Fitr (Fitrana) collection, by offering you the convenience of arranging your Zakat Al Fitr from the comfort of your homes, ensuring that every individual, regardless of financial circumstances, can participate in the joyous celebrations of Eid.
The prescribed amount for Zakat Al Fitr this year is $10 per person. You can conveniently pay your Zakat Al Fitr to Muslim Housing Services (MHS) via our Paypal link:
Donate to Muslim Housing Services
* When donating, kindly specify in the notes section that these funds are intended for Zakat Al Fitr/Fitrana to ensure proper allocation; otherwise, they will be classified as general Sadaqa. If you forget to include this information in the memo, please email: info@muslimhousing.org so we can accurately track your donation.
Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.
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Hawa's Success Story!
Hawa, a single mother of three, fled Sudan in search of a better life and healthcare for her son, who struggles with autism and mental illness. Upon arriving in Seattle, they found themselves homeless for three days, with Hawa unable to communicate in English.
Eventually, an Arabic family offered temporary shelter, but due to her son's special needs, the family suggested she had to find alternative accommodation. With their help, Hawa secured an apartment, but financial constraints remained a challenge for her to pay the full rent, and she struggled to find employment.
In her time of desperation, Hawa sought help from her local mosque, where she was referred to Muslim Housing Services (MHS). Recognizing her urgent need as a single mother with a dependent child and no shelter, Hawa's MHS Case Manager promptly arranged support, resulting in the approval of her application. Thanks to the MHS Homeless Prevention Program, funded by Islamic Relief USA, Hawa received indispensable assistance.
Living on the streets of Seattle had been a harrowing experience for Hawa and her son, but with the guidance of her case manager and despite facing numerous rejections, Hawa was encouraged to apply for job opportunities, including positions at Amazon, Eventually, she secured a part- time job as a stock worker at Amazon, providing some relief, although still insufficient to cover her rent entirely. Juggling part-time work with caring for her son, Hawa remains determined to secure full-time employment before the conclusion of her support from the MHS Homeless Prevention Program, enabling her to independently cover her expenses.
Grateful for the lifeline provided during her darkest hours, Hawa acknowledges MHS's pivotal role in helping her overcome adversity. She expresses profound gratitude for the support received during one of the most challenging periods of her life. Meanwhile, her son is attending a school tailored to his special needs, ensuring he receives the care and attention he requires.
Hawa's journey stands as a testament to resilience amidst hardship, highlighting the invaluable support and transformative impact of compassion and solidarity in empowering vulnerable individuals during their most challenging moments.
Your contributions are essential to providing a home to someone in need, as well as helping us make progress towards eradicating homelessness in Seattle. You can donate to our organization by clicking the PayPal link at the bottom of the newsletter or via Zelle, using: info@muslim-housing.org. Thank you for your kind consideration.
“Those who spend in charity will be richly rewarded”
(Quran 57:10)
*Names and details are changed in success stories to protect identities.
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Ongoing Commitment: Bi-Weekly Ramadan Food Distribution by MHS!
Bringing Joy and Sustenance to Families during the Holy Month!
  Muslim Housing Services (MHS) is pleased to provide updates on its ongoing bi-weekly food distribution throughout the holy month of Ramadan. Alhamdulillah, MHS has ordered over $50,000 worth of food from Costco and commenced distribution at the beginning of Ramadan, with the hope of completing the distribution, Insha'Allah, of all Zakat Al Fitr (Fitrana) before Eid. This initiative aims to provide essential food items to homeless and low-income families in the MHS community, ensuring they can enjoy Ramadan with peace of mind.
Our focus remains on distributing staple food items such as rice, sugar, flour, oil, and dates, thanks to the generous contributions from the Islamic Center of Eastside (ICOE) and Mountlake Terrace Mosque (also known as Masjid Umar Al-Farooq or as Muslim Association of Northwest (MANW)), who are supporting part of this order. These essentials enable families facing financial hardships to prepare nutritious meals throughout the holy month.
Another valued contributor is Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), which has played a vital role by providing non-Zakat Al Fitr funds to purchase Halal lamb meat for distribution alongside the staple items. This addition not only provides sustenance but also offers a special treat to families who may otherwise not be able to afford it.
The collaboration between MHS, ICOE, MANW, and IRUSA ensures a more fulfilling Ramadan experience for countless homeless and low-income families in Seattle. We are incredibly grateful for their unwavering support, as their generosity exemplifies the true spirit of Ramadan – compassion, solidarity, and offering a helping hand to those in need.
MHS remains dedicated to its mission of alleviating hunger and spreading joy within our community. As Ramadan concludes, we look forward to continuing our efforts throughout the year, Insha'Allah.
If you haven't done so already, you too can be part of this initiative by contributing! Follow the PayPal link to make a donation:
Donate to Muslim Housing Services
* When donating, kindly specify in the notes section that these funds are intended for Zakat Al Fitr/Fitrana to ensure proper allocation; otherwise, they will be classified as general Sadaqa. If you forget to include this information in the memo, please email: info@muslimhousing.org so we can accurately track your donation.
Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.
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MHS Year End Fundraiser: Mark your Calendars!
SAVE THE DATE: December 14th, 2024!
We are excited to announce the upcoming MHS Year End Fundraiser! Before we delve into the details, let's take a moment to reflect on the success of our recent MHS Virtual Fundraiser held on March 2nd, 2024, at our new MHS office.
The decision to host a virtual event was primarily due to the unavailability of a suitable venue. While the Virtual Fundraiser was a resounding success and allowed us to connect with our supporters in new ways, there's truly something special about the buzz of a physical venue. We love seeing our community members come together, sharing meals, engaging in meaningful conversations, and witnessing the joy on children's faces as they participate in our lineup of fun activities.
Now, we're excited to announce the return of the MHS Year End Fundraiser, scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 14th, 2024, at Muslim Association of Puget Sound - MAPS, Redmond. Mark your calendars for what promises to be a memorable evening filled with entertainment and community spirit.
As in previous years, our Annual Fundraiser Dinner will be an opportunity for the young and old alike to come together and enjoy a night of camaraderie and fun. It's a chance for our community to unite in support of a great cause while enjoying delicious food, engaging entertainment, and interactive activities for children.
Stay tuned as we prepare to release ticket sales later in the year. We are committed to keeping ticket prices nominal to ensure accessibility for all community members. Rest assured that all proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to charity, supporting MHS's vital programs and services that benefit our community.
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Diaper Bank
Muslim Housing Services are reaching out to the community with a Diaper Donation Appeal to help babies and toddlers of families experiencing material hardship. These families are unable to afford this essential necessity for their young.
Did you know, families are unable to use their food stamps to purchase diapers? Additionally, undocumented families do not receive food stamps or cash assistance from the government?
Babies without access to diapers face potential health risks, require more frequent trips to the doctor, and are more likely to be unaccepted into daycare centers, making it challenging for parents to go to work.
Please consider helping a child today and lets make all babies happy by clicking on the following link: Diapers
Thank you for your support. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of these young ones.
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Furniture Donations
Muslim Housing Services (MHS) gladly accepts furniture donations from our community members and redistributes them to families in need. Your donations have the power to transform lives!
In most cases, we can promptly arrange the collection of items with our moving truck. However, currently, there is typically a 2-week timeline for furniture pick-ups.
To make the donation process smoother, please ensure you meet the following requirements:
- Photos: Include clear photographs of the furniture to assess its condition.
- Contact: Share your contact number and email for pickup scheduling.
- Address: Provide your pick-up location.
- Condition: Ensure that the furniture is in good, usable shape.
- Accessibility: Ensure its easily accessible for our pick-up team.
To donate your furniture, please email us at info@muslimhousing.org and our team will be in touch to arrange a pickup at your convenience.
Your generosity makes a significant impact on the lives of families in need. Thank you for your support!
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