LA Muslims to help the homeless as Ramadan nears end

Rasa - Muslims in the greater Los Angeles area are set to serve the homeless on skid row for the 18th annual Humanitarian Day as this year’s holy month of Ramadan nears its end.

News ID: 430419

Date: 18 June 2017 - 21:53

RNA - Hundreds of homeless people are expected to show up Sunday to get fresh meals, hygiene kits, clothing and towels, backpacks and school supplies, The Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

“We are Angelenos, we are Americans, we are Muslims and we are goodwill ambassadors living the values of our Islamic faith through service to those in need,” said Umar Hakim, the executive director of the ILM Foundation and lead organizer of Humanitarian Day, in a statement.

Meanwhile, other events related to Humanitarian Day were underway in Santa Ana, Pasadena and the Inland Empire on Saturday.

Over last year, Los Angeles County’s homeless population rose 23 percent.

According to the Humanitarian Day website, the initiative’s “health fairs provide basic needs through the year, as we advocate for housing, healthcare, and other immediate needs for the 23 percent (We pray this number does not rise.)”

Apart from the homelessness rate in LA, Islamophobia has also been on the rises particularly since President Donald Trump took office in January.

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