Ithar - Social Services
What is Ithar
Ithar [pronounced as ee-saar] means (giving) preference (to others on oneself), preferring (others over oneself), altruism, unselfishness, selflessness (Al-Mawrid).
Translation: "Verily, Allah enjoins justice, and the doing of good to others; and giving like kindred; and forbids indecency, and manifest evil, and wrongful transgression. He admonished you that you may take heed."
Translation: "God commands you to abide by justice and fairness. But if you wish to attain greater perfection, then treat people with compassion and do good even to those who have done you no good. And if you aspire to even higher perfection, then be of service to others out of personal sympathy and natural impulse, without any desire to win gratitude or to put anyone under obligation, and be kind to them just as a mother is kind to her children out of a natural urge. God also forbids you to commit excesses, to remind people of the good you have them, or to be ungrateful to those who have been kind to you."
Lecture Lahore, page 12
What is Ansār Outreach Effort?
In the spirit of Ansār and Emigrants (Muhaajrin) to Medina, establish brotherhood or Mu' akhāt with fellow Ansār.
Each Majlis’s Zaim and Amla is expected to reach out to 80% of Ansār – twice a year – one-on-one via phone, virtually, or in person* and bring a gift (flowers, plants, chocolates, etc.)
Here are some specifics:
- Ansār outreach drive is all year long.
- Ansār outreach focus months are February and August.
*no double-dipping...this means that the calls/meetings should be for the sole purpose of finding well-being and not for any other drive/campaign.
Why do it?
- For the pleasure of Allah
- “Love For All” applies to Ahmadis as well
- Promised Messiah (AS) said, "The task with which God Almighty has appointed me is that I should remove the malaise that has formed between God and His Creation and restore the relationship of love and sincerity between them."
He further said, "The second purpose is that for the sake of God’s people and out of compassion all persons should engage their strengths and capabilities in the service and well-wishing of God’s people. And they must treat gratefully and beneficially all people – from Kings and Emperors down to an ordinary person – who has done them any favor."
How can Ansar be part of any Ithar activity?
HELP REFUGEES TO ADJUST IN USA
Fulfill the immediate and long-term needs of Ahmadi Muslim refugees and immigrants. Give priority to:
- Settlement in home (provide help in acquiring furniture, appliances, etc.)
- Provide help in obtaining a driver' s license.
- Assist in job search.
- Plugging children into the educational and higher educational system – encourage them to apply for Tahir scholarship & Dr. Lateef Scholarship.
- Encouraging them to take English as a second language course (local Majlis may subsidize such a course/class to incentivize them).
OUTREACH TO ALL MEMBERS IN YOUR MAJLIS
Identify and support additional social service activities to fulfill the needs of the local elderly Ansar members:- Visit those Ansar who may have a disability or a medical/economic hardship.
- Seek and avail opportunities to serve members and God's creatures.
Some Examples of Ithar projects and activities
- Providing food or services at local soup kitchens and food pantry
- Feeding the hungry through hot meals or food packages
- Shoveling snow/mowing lawns at the mosque or for neighbors
- Visiting incapacitated Ansar brothers
- Helping refugee families with their chores
- Lending a hand with Ziafat at the mosque
- Providing professional help (e.g. tax preparation, resume writing)
- Assisting with transportation
- Adopt a street around their neighborhood to pick up garbage.
Immigration Help
- Visit and welcome refugees and immigrants.
- Help immigrant families in settling down (as an example, assisting them in how to get enrolled in schools, call utilities for hookup, buying household items, helping them fill forms, etc.)
- Help in test preparation and obtaining a driver's license.
- Help with driving practice.
- Assist adults in obtaining driving lessons.
- Provide or arrange for a ride to Jumu'ah and other Jama'at activities, and for other necessities if public transportation is not available and they do not have their own transportation.
- Arrange transportation while an adult is learning to drive.
- If an immigrant is not conversant in English, provide material and resources.
- Provide information if ESL courses are available through city or community colleges.
- Identify their skills and guide them in professions most suitable to them.
- In case of skill challenges, guide them and help them in choosing a skill and assist with fees required for the development of necessary skills. See if Tahir Scholarship is available for the purpose.
GRANT REQUEST FORM:
If any Ansar member is in need for financial assistance, please fill out the link below:MAJLIS ANSARULLAH USA: Ithar - Social Services (google.com)
Ithar - Social Services Important Links
- Dr. Yusef Lateef Scholarship
- Majlis Ansarullah Self-Reliance Micro Loan Scheme (SMILE)
- Ansar Tahir Scholarship
- Services Provided by Ansarullah USA
See and click below 'Ansarullah USA Services Poster'. It is 11 x 17 inches. Please print it in color and post it in your local Mosque/Mission house/Ansarullah office. Ansarullah USA Services Poster
MUSLIMS FEED A MILLION MEALS
Hunger is a very real issue for 12% or 41 million people in the United States. Hunger is the distress that comes from not having enough food. Therefore, Majlis Ansarullah USA will feed a million meals to Americans across the nation throughout 2024.- We will partner with Humanity First USA Food Pantries.
- We will partner with local soup kitchens and local mosques/mission houses to prepare hot meals.
MUSLIMS TREE PLANTING (KM):
11 million hectares of forest are now lost each year due to rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns. Therefore, Majlis Ansarullah USA will plant 200 trees across 57 Majalis in the month of April 2024.- We will partner with Arbor Day Foundation
MUSLIMS CHARITY WALK (GHS):
Charity walks are more than just communal gatherings; they are powerful catalysts for change, fostering unity and propelling missions forward. Therefore, Majlis Ansarullah USA will conduct charity walk in the month of September 2024.- We will partner with Humanity First USA to conduct ‘virtual’ walks.
