ICNA Islamic Circle of North America

—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—

JAMAICA, New York (August 17, 2010) – The Islamic Circle of North America invites you to participate in its annual Back to School Giveaway, an event created to meet the needs of families across the United States.

Many families are under financial pressure; some have lost jobs and find it difficult to buy school supplies for their children. The act of giving to the needy and being a good neighbor is integral to the Islamic faith; through the Back to School Giveaway, ICNA hopes to both help struggling families provide for their children and inspire the American Muslim community to partake in this fundamental teaching of Islam.

God says in the Qur’an, “Worship God and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the poor, the neighbor who is near of kin, [and] the neighbor who is a stranger.”

This year, the Back to School Giveaway will be held in DC/Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania during the month of Ramadan, August/September 2010. We urge you to donate to this cause and bring ease and joy to the lives of thousands of families. Last year ICNA volunteers prepared and gave away over 1,500 book bags filled with school supplies such as pens, pencils, notebooks, rulers and markers.

The Back to School Giveaway dates and locations are as follows:

Maryland
• Baltimore

Washington DC
• Metro Area

New Jersey
• August 21, East Orange, NJ
• August 28, Newark, NJ

New York
• August 7, Bronx, NY
• August 14, Wyandanch, NY
• August 15, Staten Island, NY
• August 21, Brooklyn, NY
• August 22, Jamaica, NY
• August 28, Yonkers, NY
• August 29, New York, NY

Pennsylvania
• Philadelphia

Despite the growth of poverty and need, American Muslims can join together to help struggling families overcome these hurdles. To volunteer at a giveaway or to receive supplies and school bags visit: http://www.icna.org/

The Islamic Circle of North America is an American Muslim organization dedicated to the betterment of society through the promotion of Islamic values. ICNA works to build relations between communities by devoting itself to education, outreach, social services and relief efforts.

—END—

Press Contact: Naeem Baig
Vice President for Public Affairs
Islamic Circle of North America
E-mail:
Office: (718) 658-1199 Extension: 102
Cell: (917) 202-2118