7 Muslims? You bet we’ll help!

While it’s the season of Lent for Christians, it’s Ramadan for the Muslim community. 

There are about 2,000 Muslims living in Michigan’s 28 correctional facilities, but only 7 of them reside in the Upper Peninsula’s Marquette Branch Prison. 

First an explanation of Ramadan, provided by Britannica. 

Ramadan, in Islam..the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the holy month of fasting. It begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon. For Muslims, Ramadan is a period of introspection, communal prayer (ṣalāt) in the mosque, and reading of the Qurʾān. God forgives the past sins of those who observe the holy month with fasting, prayer, and faithful intention. 

This week, an HFP client emailed the HFP office from Marquette with an urgent request. 

“Since the beginning of Ramadan the staff have been less than co-operative with regards to providing their Ramadan food packs and meals in a timely manner. They are receiving their meals and packs sometimes several hours later than they should be distributed. Last night they didn't receive their bags until 10 pm and were told by staff that 'YOU will get it when you get it!' Some of these brothers have no means to purchase their own foods on the commissary and have fasted all day and are reliant on these packs for their sustenance. Their current treatment by the prison is inhumane and we were hoping someone from your organization could intervene to make sure these men are treated fairly and able to practice their religion accordingly and with compassion.” 

HFP promptly responded, doing what it does best: quietly pressing buttons and pulling strings. 

One day later, this wonderful message in our inbox: 

“Mr. D wanted me to forward his thanks to you and thank you from the other Muslim brothers in the prison for acting so quickly to advocate on their behalf. They wanted to let you know that tonight they received their packs on time! Hopefully it will stay that way.” 

Score one for the good guys! 

Crowed HFP Office Manager Susie: “I opened this message this morning.  MADE MY DAY!  This is not a testimonial about Susie.  It IS a great example about how HFP, reaching out, CAN make a difference! 

“Never underestimate the difference YOU can make in the lives of others. Step forward, reach out and help. This week reach to someone that might need a lift.”

-Pablo

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