Community Day at Masjid Al-Ikhlas Says Thank You

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – Hasan W. needed help, and his City of Newburgh community neighbors responded, “saving” him in the process, a heroic feat he doesn’t take lightly for one moment.

“Whether it was food, clothing, a listening ear, smile or just simply being there, so many places and people around Newburgh really made a positive difference in my life as well as others when we really needed it,” said a visibly touched Hasan. “I wanted to thank them for that today.”

That gratitude gesture was a pivotal piece of Saturday’s Community Day event, hosted by Masjid Al-Ikhlas, located at 25 Washington Terrace in the City of Newburgh. Here, special, personal award certificates, enveloped in frames, were proudly presented to those hero recipients, including; AME Zion Church Food Pantry Program, Good Shephard Church Soup Kitchen Program, Sister Tahira and Sister Melody. The all afternoon venue further provided a host of other fun and informative offerings: raffles, health screenings (for blood pressure and diabetes), a resource tent, vendors such as Pathstone (home ownership assistance program) and Saddlebrook Farms (selling fresh eggs), a colorful ensemble of fresh produce of peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, and carrots as well as a complimentary barbeque lunch.

Wishing to extend its outreach, welcoming in all in the community, members from the Masjid Al-Ikhlas family wanted to hold a day devoted to embracing its neighbors, having them interact in a fun, relaxing environment and all benefit from their shared time together.

“Openness is our main goal, exchanging ideas and meeting people who have made a difference in the community who come from all different backgrounds and regardless of religion, race, beliefs or anything else are doing things to help others and make a real difference,” said Ahmed Rehman, Board member and Treasurer of Masjid Al-Ikhlas. “We truly want people to know our doors are open should they need any kind of help at all.”

Saturday, those entrances were ajar, as guests walked the grounds, purchasing farm fresh produce and other delicious food items from Halal Pastures and 845 Halal, enjoying a hamburger, chicken and corn on the cob barbeque, admiring beautifully hand-crafted items from vendor Noor Resin Studio, ensuring their health numbers were on point at the screening table, or simply chatting with a new acquaintance in the shade, realizing there was more they shared in common than separated them.

Grateful for the impressive-sized sponsorship that helped make the event possible from yet another community partner, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh, the Masjid Al-Ikhlas members, who include Hasan, is hopeful that Saturday’s event is the start of many more to come. Openness, recognition, gratitude, fusing priceless bonds and reciprocal flourishing as a result defined the day.

“It feels nice to be honored and recognized,” said Pastor Milton Stubbs, representing the AME Zion Church of Newburgh, whose food pantry lines wrap around the nearby block on a regular basis, providing carefully selected, healthy selections of three bags of food per client, delivered with treasured compassion and uplifting smiles. “I’m glad I was able to be here today and see all that they too do for the community.”