For the past four years, the Future Movement USA’s Michigan group in Dearborn has held a traditional iftar during Ramadan, and it was always a hit. But this year, in light of current economic troubles, the group decided to spend their money differently.

Future Movement Michigan volunteers pack boxes full of essential food items to deliver to needy citizens’ homes as part of their charitable initiative during Ramadan. Items included olive oil, dates, sugar, macaroni, and more. PHOTOS: Nafeh AbuNab

More than 25 volunteers from the group gathered on Wednesday, September 1, to pack 200 boxes of essential food items to be distributed among the poor in metro Detroit. The boxes were packed full of items like olive oil, olives, rice, sugar, macaroni, dates and tea and will be distributed by Monday or Tuesday of next week personally along with warm greetings of “Ramadan Kareem.” Next year, the group hopes that it can raise the number of boxes given away to 1,000 with more planning and support from the community.
Future Movement Michigan and Future Youth Association USA (another branch of the group) Coordinator General Walid Nassif talked about the decision to change the group’s Ramadan event this year.

“This year we decided to do something different for Ramadan, which is the month of giving and mercy,” Nassif said.

Future Movement Michigan is part of a national, non-sectarian group that draws a wide base of support throughout Lebanon and strives to uphold the philanthropic traditions of Rafik Hariri, the Lebanese prime minister who was assassinated in 2005. The group believes in preserving Lebanon’s territorial unity, its people, its institutions, and the country’s Arab identity and Arab affiliations along with democracy and respect for the Constitution and human rights.

One symbol of their commitment is a tree planted in memory of Hariri at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn. Hariri made education one of his main goals as Lebanese prime minister.

Future Movement distributed 200 boxes of food for Ramadan this year instead of its traditional Iftar dinner, and it plans to raise that number to 1,000 boxes next year with more planning and perhaps more member participation.

The gift boxes were expected to be given mostly to needy senior citizens as a way to let them know they are still loved and that their struggles are not forgotten.
Nassif also wanted to pass along a message of solidarity among Lebanese during Ramadan.

“Let’s be together for Lebanon, the country needs all of our efforts so let’s forget our differences and build on our common areas so we can bring peace to each other and save Lebanon,” he said.

Nassif also hopes that more organizations and people will take Future Movement’s lead and give as much as possible during Ramadan.

“I hope people will copy us, it would make us feel very happy about it,” he said.

“We are wishing the Islamic and Arab American communities peace and prosperity for the month of Ramadan and hope peace will flourish along with many good deeds.”

Visit www.futuremovementusa.com for more on the group.