Muslim Community Members, Syrian Refugees to Give Out Supplies to Homeless

Rasa - This weekend, local Muslims—including some Syrian refugees—will gather to give out supplies and offer services to the homeless.

News ID: 424848

Date: 06 November 2016 - 20:00

RNA - This weekend, local Muslims—including some Syrian refugees—will gather to give out supplies and offer services to the homeless.

The 10th annual Day of Dignity will be held all day on November 5 at the Millionair Club in Belltown. Volunteers will give out hundreds of sleeping bags (to protect against hypothermia, a serious problem for many homeless people), hygiene supplies, rain gear, jackets and other warm clothing, and free lunch. UW medical student volunteers will also be on hand to offer basic health services, including dental screening, check ups for BMI, blood pressure, health education, and information about medical insurance.

It’s the largest Muslim charity event in Seattle, and it’s held a few weeks before Thanksgiving to address the lull in services for the homeless between October and November, before Christmas season picks things up again, according to Aziz Junejo, a local Muslim TV show host who’s helped organize the event for the past 10 years.

“It’s just a way Muslims are trying to reach out and give back,” says Junejo.

Organizers expect to help between 300 and 500 people this year, and Seattle Mayor Ed Murray will attend. According to Junejo, Murray reached out and made plans to attend following the nightclub massacre in Orlando, Florida on June 12, in an effort to come out and meet the Muslim community.

According to a press release, the event is paid for by donations from individuals as well as 20 local mosques and Islamic community centers.

Last year, Junejo said, a lot of homeless veterans showed up to the event. Some greeted volunteers with the Muslim greeting “Assalamu Alaikum” (Peace be upon you), which they learned from their service in Iraq or Afghanistan. This year, organizers expect even more homeless veterans to show up. To help this population, organizers this year partnered with the Washington Department of Veterans.

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