On the first sunny day in Seattle that we’ve seen in a while, close to 150 people gathered at the Islamic School of Seattle for the first annual “Seattle’s Hands – Muslims and the MDG’s” event.

The idea germinated last fall when a small group of leaders met in a coffee shop near Pike’s Place on the waterfront of Seattle. Mark Brinkmoeller from ONE met with a number of regional leaders in the Islamic community, heard their vision, and told them if an event was created, he would be glad to return and partake on a forum for ways for Muslims to put their faith in action globally for their brethren and families in their homelands. These are matters of not only charity but justice, and he shared ways they can advocate here on their behalf.

Mark was joined onstage by Munir Rizvi of the World Education Foundation. They have built and managed a school in Pakistan with plans to build one school per year and provide scholarships to needy students for college. This Boeing engineer also works with his country’s earthquake victims on tent, water, and heater projects. Tohir Abdul-Malik is a teacher at the Muslim Youth Academy in Seattle and a partner in Centric Ltd, which building 100% green homes in developing countries. Hafiz Lalji is a business trainer and an outreach coordinator for the Islamic community at Washington CASH, a domestic microfinance organization in our region.

But the children stole our hearts today. The primary students sang the 99 names of Allah, the middle school children spoke first-person-style of the MDG’s with artwork and Quran verses for each goal . . . high-schoolers sang and volunteered, and the Muslim Student Association at the University of Washington developed a video interviewing Islamic students on their knowledge and experience of the MDG’s. many thanks to the kids who have volunteered to make the event come off swimmingly.

Far eastern vendors and families donated food. Zuhr prayer (2nd of the 5 daily prayers) was joined or observed, a tender time, complete with a spiritual message by Dr. Karim Abdullah .
We are all exhorted to be our brother’s keeper, near and afar, and ONE is a prominent partner in helping people of faith, every faith, advocate for the voiceless of the world. My thanks for the generosity of ONE to share the day with the people of Seattle.

This was the first event held by the Islamic community of Seattle to introduce the goals and to hear how others in both our and the greater community are working towards these goals. The children brought the goals alive, the spiritual address speaks about our duty to help our neighbors. The riveting panel discussion informed and inspired others that it is possible to make a change. The interfaith ONE campaign presence at the event and powerful voice could further help such organizations further break any barriers to achieving their private mission and the overarching MDGs.

Narima Amin, Founder, RISE-UP from Poverty and Seattle’s Hand Event Coordinator
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Sammi Fredenburg, Seattle ONE volunteer