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Islamic Fundraising Protects UMMA Clinic
by Shaher Kassaimah
CALIFORNIA (IslamOnline) - In order to respond to an emergency appeal halting the closing of the University Muslim Medical Association (UMMA) Clinic, the only free medical clinic in South-Central Los Angeles, the Islamic community of California on Saturday raised more than $284,000 in a fundraising event organized by clinic members.
Contributions made by more than 1000 individuals from northern and southern California ensured the survival of the clinic; a step that will keep the center running for another year.
Ahmed Esmat, head of Islamic Relief in the U.S., said to IslamOnline: "This clinic is one of the most successful Islamic projects that serves the under-privileged communities in the United States."
The Los Angeles chapter of the Islamic Relief organization donated $15,000 to the clinic.
However, organizers are still seeking more support and funding from other sources.
According to Muslim educators, this Islamic care project, serving all those who cannot afford health care, not just Muslims, is a good example showing that Muslims in the U.S. are contributing to American society, becoming a part of their community.
In an interview with the media, Sheik Hamza Youssef of the Zaytoona Institute in Hayward, said: "It's the start of some really positive Muslim influence in America."
This charitable project’s success also helps to narrow the wide gap between immigrant Muslims and African American Muslims.
Najee Ali of Project Islamic HOPE said, "And now, no longer can any African American Muslim leader say that immigrants don't care about the part of the city we live in."
Yasser Aman, the clinic's director, said to IslamOnline, "This particular fundraising is really a good message of Muslim unity and their charity. Muslims in this country are not only donating to projects overseas, but also for any non-Muslim needy and poor people in this country."
In order to encourage Muslim doctors to help with their time, Aman added, "This clinic is running by volunteers, and this project started from the idea of having many Muslim doctors who can help and donate their time.
“Unfortunately, at present time, most of the Muslim doctors are not helping,” Aman stated, adding, “so if they like to offer help [with] other than money, we encourage them to help with their time, medical supplies, and medical equipment."
The UMMA clinic started in 1996 by a group of Muslim students in Los Angeles. It sees an average of 5,000 patients weekly.
In addition, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) had agreed to make the UMMA clinic a teaching clinic, to which it sends many students to volunteer as part of their training.
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