We take care of those who care for us: Muslim community in Texas feeds medical, police staff

Muslim organizations in Irving, Texas are feeding their community this week, by distributing a total of 1,500 meals to medical, school and police staff as the state grapples with the novel coronavirus.

With the donations of 20 organizations, the lion’s share belonging to Muslims, 500 meals were distributed to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center on Tuesday, and another 500 will be delivered to the Irving Police Department on Wednesday and 500 to Irving ISD on Friday, reported the U.S.-based Dallas News.

“We decided to take care of those who take care of us,” said Raed Omar Sbeit, CEO of the North Texas Leadership Development Academy, adding that he was inspired by active donations including face masks and meals from the Muslim community.

Additionally, Sbeit announced that his organization’s annual Ramadan Outreach Civic Dinner, which has been traditionally held at various Muslim centers as of 2007, will be hosted online on May 16.

“We thought the good work should not stop. It’s a time for us to come together now,” said Sbeit, pointing out that meals will be distributed to people’s homes for iftar, the fast-breaking meal during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, while they watch the ceremony virtually.

Muslim organizations will also be honored during the online ceremony, particularly the Irving Community Action Network, the Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation and Irving Cares with $1000 donations for each of them.

Texas officials have reported nearly 33,000 people infected and more than 900 deaths due to COVID-19.

Since first appearing in Wuhan, China last December, the novel coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, has spread to at least 187 countries and regions, with the US and Europe the hardest-hit areas.

More than 3.6 million cases have been reported worldwide, with the death toll surpassing 257,000 and over 1.1 million recoveries, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University in the US.