Traditionally, the Muslim festival of Idul-Fitr (Eid Al-Fitr) is a time of joyous celebration, one shared among friends and family to mark the end of Ramadan, a month-long period during which Muslim Americans fast during daylight hours, and offer up additional prayer and reflection.

 

The holiday is also usually an occasion to join together in prayer as part of a congregation. Due to the prevailing statewide PAUSE order, and related social distancing restrictions, celebrations which would normally have taken place on Sunday, May 24, were markedly quieter this year.

Ahead of Sunday’s holiday, the Islamic Circle of North America Relief USA group (ICNA Relief USA) joined the Albanian American Open Hand Association (AAOHA) to distribute 2,000 boxes of food to the local community on Holland Avenue in the Pelham Parkway area of the Bronx on Saturday May 23.

 

The gesture went some way towards helping affected Muslim Americans celebrate at home the following day with their immediate families, many of whom have been severely impacted by the statewide “PAUSE” order.

 

A 2018 report by the group, Muslims for American Progress, found that Muslims make up 8.96 percent of the City’s population. It also shows that a large number of the City’s Muslims work in front line services.

 

For example, Muslims make up 57.5 percent of people who work at food stands, and 39.2 percent of those who work in the taxi industry, two sectors which have been badly hit by the prevailing shutdown.

 

On the other hand, the report also showed that Muslims make up 9.7 percent of those who work in the medical profession, while 8.1 percent of those who work in respiratory therapy specifically, are Muslim.

 

Meanwhile, as part of the ongoing efforts to curtail the spread of the coronavirus, the City donated 10,000 face masks which were also handed out at Saturday’s event.

 

Aleksander Nilaj, President of the AAOHA, was on hand to personally hand out food boxes and masks to members of the community. He was joined by Kastriot Murataj, also of the AAOHA, and Shabbir Gul of ICNR Relief USA.

 

At one point during the day, Nilaj posed for a photo beside a throw made for him as a birthday gift by a resident, since he was also celebrating his birthday on Saturday.

 

ICNA Relief USA seeks to alleviate human suffering by providing caring and compassionate service to victims of adversities and survivors of disasters. It strives to build healthy communities, strengthen families and create opportunities for those in despair while maintaining their dignity and advocating for their basic human needs.

 

Unfortunately, while some Americans were seen out relaxing on sunny beaches across the country over the Memorial holiday weekend, in New York the rain came down hard and fast on Saturday.

 

Despite the setback, volunteers did their best to shelter under makeshift tents, and distribute the food boxes as quickly as possible to members of the community.

 

It was a tricky job at times, maintaining adequate social distance while also distributing food boxes in the rain, but people’s spirits were not dampened, and helpers and volunteers alike all worked together to ensure the event was a success.

 

Some of the food inside each of the 2,000 food boxes distributed to members of the local community included lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.

 

The Albanian American Open Hand Association (AAOHA) aims to provide effective support, and to respond to situations of natural disaster. It provides immediate help in such situations, and is committed to partnering in efforts to address the plight of people who are victims of natural disasters.