As’salamu Alaikum (peace be upon you):

As 2020 draws to a close, I wanted to share some brief reflections on the past year as we prepare for what lies ahead.

First, I want to thank you and our community for stepping up in a variety of ways during the pandemic, including your support and generosity, your understanding of the changes we had to make in the last 10 months at MAPS as we adapted to the pandemic, and your willingness to follow the COVID safety guidelines at MAPS and beyond. A huge thank you also goes out to all the staff and volunteers for everything they have done to keep MAPS alive, and the community engaged, during these difficult times. Here are some highlights.

• Ramadan this year was a unique challenge, but I was particularly proud of the way we came together as a community to share a virtual experience, whether for Taraweeh, Khatirahs, or Eid prayers. You can see the Ramadan message I sent at Eid-ul-Fitr, which provides a summary of our activities.
• By Eid-ul-Adha, we were able to have limited in-person services. We held six separate prayer services, while strictly adhering to COVID safety guidelines, and followed that with a successful Eid drive-through celebration. See my Eid-ul-Adha message.
• By the grace of Allah SWT (God Almighty), we continue to offer five daily prayer services and Jummah prayer, while strictly adhering to COVID safety guidelines (including pre-registration and social distancing requirements).
• MAPS Education went fully online and has served over 800 students and provided close to 45,000 teaching hours.
• We turned other programs online as well, such as our weekly Muslim Experience Study Circle, weekly Quran Tafseer, while also pioneering a number of new programs including Mindful Tuesdays, the Weekly Community Conversations, and Friday Virtual Storytime.
• We stepped up in a big way with social services through MAPS-MCRC, including disbursing over $500,000 in rental and utility assistance; helping over 500 families with food cards, hot meals and food boxes; providing a free tele-medicine clinic; distributing 5,000 surgical masks and other PPE to those in need; and much more. MAPS-MCOC also organized a mask drive to donate to those in need.
• MAPS-AMEN worked with state, county and local officials to communicate the response to COVID-19 and safety protocols, including a faith leaders’ video about COVID safety, while continuing the outreach and justice advocacy work in the community during a chaotic election year and a national uprising for racial justice.
• In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, MAPS’ Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (CDEI) also mobilized with events for the community including on Juneteenth, and provided anti-racism training to the MAPS Board and program leaders.
• MAPS Youth, in its 7th year, continued to hold programs virtually to serve and engage young Muslims (age 13-18), and received a $10,000 grant from the Washington Youth Nonprofit Relief Fund for the year ahead.

I want to close this message by asking for you to also continue your support of our work ahead. We count on your financial contribution to offer our many services and programs to the community at large, and on your prayers and well wishes to be successful in our endeavors. Right now, we are actively planning for what lies ahead in 2021 and how we will adapt to provide the best experience possible for the community, including during the upcoming Ramadan. With your help and end-of-year donation, we can make the future a bright one for MAPS — your masjid — while we serve and benefit the wider community, insha’Allah (God-willing).

Tax Deductions Increase for 2020: Due to the CARES Act, charitable donations made during 2020 may be eligible for a 100% tax deduction this year due to the global pandemic. You can read more about this new tax incentive here and consult with your tax advisor to see if making a larger gift this December qualifies you for a full deduction.

Thank you and Jazak Allahu khairan (may you be rewarded),

Hyder Ali
MAPS President