Park Cleaning

By: Marwa Ahmed

August 21, 2005 was the first for this season’s volunteer event organized by the “MAC Youth Give” of the Ottawa Division. The Muslim Association Of Canada (MAC) is dedicated to giving back to the community, and that is what they did with great success. A group of volunteers met at Abraar School and traded in their weekend for gloves and garbage bags. At 8 a.m. sharp we began to assemble the park clean-up.

The area around Abraar School gradually became more sanitary and safe for the children in the community. The backfield, which includes a baseball diamond and swimming pool, and the front of the school, which includes the parking lot and basketball court, were left spotless. The area around the Boys ad Girls club was also cleaned.

Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "Allah is kind and likes kindness in all things." What better kindness is there other than those who help others without wanting anything in return? This just so happens to be the definition of “volunteering”.

MAC Youth Give will be holding events like this throughout the year. Committee members strongly encourage volunteers to show up to these events and lend a helping hand. I end by quoting Alexander the Great. He once said, “There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” If we really want to make this world a better place, then all we have to do is try.