[Islam-Online- Politic]

Being responsible Muslims means being responsible citizens. Volunteer and community work are the centerpiece of any masjid or Muslim community center. There is never enough money, but interaction and education can make a difference. It is imperative that Muslim youth, and adults also involve themselves in programs such as this one.

The benefits of volunteering are far beyond the actual deed. Volunteering forces us to face realities that we can ignore on a day-to-day basis. Homeless Muslims are not an alien concept, even in a wealthy country like the United States. Refugees around the world have much to teach those that volunteer to help them. It is an integral part of our identity as Muslims that we help others.

This April 15 marks the first annual Global Youth Service Day. It is a day devoted to encouraging and attracting volunteers all over the world. Although focused at young people, the project is designed for everyone. We are never to old to give to others, and especially to our communities.

It is imperative that we, as Muslims, become involved in positive programs such as Global Youth Service Day. Our numbers and our needs warrant the involvement of all Muslims and the opportunity to influence others in a constructive way is great.

Volunteering, as well as all other types of community work, is a wonderful dawah tool. In this time when Muslims are put-down and stereotyped and woefully misunderstood, it is our duty to show ourselves to be true Muslims. Too many Muslims hide themselves, either saving their faith for home and masjid, or simply not striving to be the best they can. There are certain activities, such as this, that cannot be spun in any negative fashion. There is no downside to volunteering our time to others. It allows us all to learn from one another, and for the world to learn about Islam.

Message from Youth Service America (www.gysd.com)
From Argentina to Senegal to Russia to the United States, thousands of youth will join other young volunteers in 37 countries this April 15, 2000 in the first ever celebration of Global Youth Service Day. The goals of Global Youth Service Day are to recognize the year-round contributions that youth make to the development of their communities through volunteer service, as well as to mobilize youth and adults to support the needs of their communities through volunteering and mentoring programs.

Global Youth Service Day grew out of the successful experience of National Youth Service Day held annually for the past 12 years in the United States that mobilizes over three million young people in service projects on that day. National Youth Service Day and its new Global format are the inspiration of Youth Service America, a resource center and an alliance of 200 organizations working to increase the quality and quantity of opportunities for young people to serve locally, nationally, and globally.

Global Youth Service Day is being coordinated by an international alliance including: the World Bank, Big Brothers Big Sisters, E-teen.net, Foundation for the Future of Youth, Habitat for Humanity, International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Inter-American Working Group on Youth Development (IAWGYD), International Youth Foundation (IYF), One Day Foundation, Peace Corps, UN Volunteers, the YMCA International, and Youth Service America (YSA).

On Global Youth Service Day, 37 national-level coalitions of youth-related organizations in different countries will be organizing service projects, recognition ceremonies, and other events to celebrate the year-round contributions of volunteer service by others. Enrique Iglesias, President of the Inter-American Development Bank, said "There are few investments as effective as providing young people the opportunity to give back to the community through voluntary service. I encourage all people and groups to take advantage of Global Youth Service Day to highlight the power of partnership between young people and adults, between youth organizations and the public and private sectors to create healthy youth and healthy communities."

Mike McCabe, Vice President of Youth Service America, stated, "The event will be an important means of increasing public awareness and support for youth service programs. We know from research that young people involved in volunteer service do better in school, and are more likely to vote, volunteer and give philanthropically as adults. Likewise, they are also 50% less likely to get involved in drug and alcohol abuse, and teen delinquency. Providing opportunities for youth to give back to their communities through service is one of the best investments we can make in our communities."

*The following countries are participating in the first annual Global Youth Service Day: Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, Canada, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, India, Israel, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Scotland, Senegal, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain/Portugal, United States, Uruguay and Venezuela

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