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HM Aktar, New York: Imam Delwar Hossain has called for collective efforts to serve humanity, saying helping people in need is not only a social responsibility but also a means of seeking Allah’s pleasure.
“Standing beside disaster-affected, hungry and vulnerable people is part of the path of ‘Aqabah’. If we remain steadfast on this path, Paradise will be our ultimate destination,” he said.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at an appreciation lunch organised by the North American Humanitarian Aid and Relief (NAHAR) for its volunteers and personnel from its New York North and South zones at Baitul Mamur in New York on Sunday afternoon local time.
NAHAR President Dr Ataul Haque Osmani chaired the programme, while NAHAR Director Delwar Hossain Majumder conducted it.
MUNA President Imam Delwar Hossain was the chief guest. NAHAR founder Abu Ahmed Nuruzzaman and MUNA National Executive Director Arman Chowdhury attended as special guests.
Moulana Emdadullah, president of MUNA’s New York South Zone; Mumin Majumder, president of MUNA’s New York North Zone; and Abdus Sattar, director of NAHAR’s South Zone, also spoke at the event.
Reciting several verses from Surah Al-Balad of the Holy Quran, Imam Delwar Hossain explained the significance of ‘Aqabah’ and ‘Marhamah’.
He said ‘Aqabah’ refers to the difficult path towards Paradise, and that helping vulnerable people and standing beside those affected by disasters are essential to following that path.
He also highlighted the importance of ‘Marhamah’, meaning mercy and compassion towards one another, citing examples of mutual assistance between the Muhajirun and Ansar during the time of the Companions of the Prophet.
“There are a large number of Muslims living in the United States. We must reach each of them with the message of serving humanity. If everyone extends a helping hand according to their ability, we can bring about significant change in humanitarian work,” Imam Delwar said.
“We can work together and turn small initiatives into something much bigger over time,” he added.
Abu Ahmed Nuruzzaman said NAHAR had made considerable progress with the support of its volunteers and well-wishers.
“We have come a long way step by step, and we have reached this stage because of your support,” he said.
He said NAHAR’s vision was to establish an international humanitarian organisation that would work for people around the world like the Red Crescent.
Calling for collective efforts to achieve the goal, he highlighted the disparity between children suffering from hunger in different parts of the world and children in affluent countries.
“We have to reach every member of the community to reduce this disparity and expand our humanitarian efforts,” he said, adding that NAHAR serves people regardless of religion or ethnicity.
Arman Chowdhury said NAHAR was not a political organisation but an organisation dedicated to humanitarian service.
“Many people living abroad are willing to support humanitarian causes. We need to reach them effectively,” he said.
He said NAHAR workers were motivated by the desire to please Allah rather than seeking public recognition.
“Through their character, behaviour and humanitarian activities, NAHAR workers are helping many people learn about the beauty of Islam,” he said, calling for the organisation’s international activities to be expanded.
He also said those working with NAHAR did not receive personal remuneration and were engaged in humanitarian service voluntarily.
In his presidential speech, NAHAR President Dr Ataul Haque Osmani said the organisation was continuing its humanitarian activities in Gaza, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Somalia and several Muslim-majority countries in Africa.
NAHAR provides assistance in areas including disaster response, food, education and healthcare, while also supporting orphaned children with education and food, he said.
Dr Osmani said financial constraints prevented the organisation from undertaking many humanitarian initiatives despite its willingness to do so.
“More resources are needed if we are to stand beside people in need on a larger scale,” he said, particularly highlighting the need for greater assistance to children facing food shortages in Sudan and Somalia.
A documentary on NAHAR’s humanitarian activities was screened at the event, highlighting its relief operations, food distribution, education and healthcare programmes in different countries.
Officials and volunteers from various levels of NAHAR’s New York North and South zones attended the programme. Speakers expressed their commitment to working together to expand the organisation’s humanitarian activities.