Support MAPS on Giving Tuesday!

Asalaam alaikum (peace be upon you):

Today (Tuesday, Dec. 1) is Giving Tuesday, a day of giving and making an impact. You can be part of this special day by supporting MAPS, the largest Islamic center in Washington state and YOUR mosque — whether you live in the Puget Sound or not! For almost 15 years, MAPS has provided religious and educational services for the Muslim community, while simultaneously benefiting the community at large through the variety and depth of our programs and services. The pandemic has challenged all of us and we have had to work very hard to continue to stay connected and provide services to the community both virtually and with our in-person religious services while strictly adhering to County and State COVID-19 guidelines. We cannot thank the community enough for your cooperation and support.

With your help, support, generosity, and prayers, we have been able to achieve the following, even in the middle of a pandemic:

Religious Services

  • Virtual Friday sermons and Friday Jummah prayers (3 services) and daily salat with socially-distanced, in-person services
  • Virtual Weekly Tafseer with Sheikh Joban continues on Sundays, our longest running program
  • A new virtual class on the Study of the Purification of the Soul by Sh. Joban (Book by Ibn Qayaaum al-Jawaziyyah)
  • Virtual class on Islamic Studies for Teenagers on Wednesdays attended by over 50 people

Social and Cultural Programs

  • Written Poetry contest entitled “Voices of MAPS – Poetry Slam” was a huge success witth over 70 people
  • MAPS-MCOC virtual story time every Friday more info here

Educational Programming

  • Sunday school has gone online with 150 students in attendance and 10 teachers
  • Over 50 people have attended online Quran classes with Qari Aslam and continue to benefit from Quran recitation and memorization
  • Evening and weekend Ar-Rahmah Quran classes continue to happen. Currently 100 kids are attending the classes
  • Virtual weekly community conversations on Thursday on topics of interest to the community. See for example Healthy Eating for a Healthy Lifestyle and Interest-free loans for Muslim Students

Humanitarian and Relief Services (MAPS-MCRC)

  • Disbursing over $500,000 in rental and utility assistance, and furnishing 120 homes through the MAPS-MCRC furniture warehouse
  • Providing over 500 families with food assistance, distributing over $12,000 worth of food cards and over 3,000 food boxes containing food staples, and serving over 4,000 hot meals – most catered from local restaurants to also support them
  • Distributing over 1,000 boxed meals and warm blankets during Thanksgiving week
  • Continuing to run a free telemedicine clinic through the pandemic, with over 350 individuals provided free medical and wellness assistance
  • Distributing over 5,000 surgical masks along with over 5,000 hygiene items including hand sanitizers, masks etc. to those in need, and providing over 80 individuals free COVID-19 testing
  • Holding Mindful Tuesdays program with Sh Yassir Fazga and 1:1 consultation to provide emotional support to the community at the time of the pandemic, along with the Golden Times Program for Senior women

Justice and Advocacy Work (MAPS-AMEN)

  • Taking a leading role as part of a diverse coalition to expose an anti-Muslim group and obtain a historic resolution condemning Islamophobia in Redmond and declaring the City a hate-free zone
  • Working with Paths to Understanding to hold a five-part Facts Over Fear webinar series to combat the myths and misconceptions about Islam and Muslims, available at the Facts Over Fear website here
  • Working with national and local organizations to ensure election integrity, and organizing two “Protect the Results” events that emphasized the need to count every vote and protect every person, which includes uplifting and amplifying the demands of the Black Lives Matter movement
  • Participating with the WA Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) to achieve a $40 million state relief fund for immigrants left out of federal COVID relief funding
  • Serving as an advisory member of the new Washington For Black Lives, which works with elected officials to seek investment in Black/Brown communities and demilitarizing/defunding police, among other economic, political and social justice advocacy in our state
  • Continuing to work with state, county and local officials to address the response to COVID-19, including a soon-to-be-released faith leaders’ video about COVID safety

Recognition for Our Work

  • MAPS has received several grants recognizing the importance of our work and relief services in the community, including from King County, Seattle Foundation, City of Redmond, City of Kirkland, City of Bellevue, Islamic Center of Eastside, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Church Council of Greater Seattle, WA Immigrant Solidarity Network, Faith in Public Life – Count Every Vote, Movement Rising Project, and more.

None of these accomplishments would be possible without YOU. As our community, you are our constituents and our supporters. And at a time when we have not been able to gather in person or raise funds through our normal channels, we rely on your virtual support. Please support us with your contribution on Giving Tuesday, so we can continue having a positive impact in our community, insha’Allah (God-willing).

Donate Now!

Thank you, and may you be rewarded for your generosity, in this life and the Hereafter.

Hyder Ali

MAPS – President