Muslims Against Hunger Feed the Needy on 9/11

Taking a solemn day of remembrance and turning into into an opportunity for service, the organization "Muslims Against Hunger" cooked enough meals to feed the hungry at 11 soup kitchens in New York and New Jersey on Sunday, with the goal of preparing and serving 1,100 meals in honor of 9/11.

In New Jersey, the cooking of the meals started in the morning at Islamic centers in Somerset and Paterson, and were transported to soup kitchens in New Brunswick, Newark, Basking Ridge, and Paterson.

Three spots were also set up in New York city to distribute the meals, according to the organization's website.

“This project helps to redefine the Muslim American narrative through social service,” said Muslims Against Hunger president Zamir Hassan, in a prepared statement. "From our experience, fighting hunger has created a silent dialogue amongst neighbors to get to know one another on a human level."

Locally, volunteers dished up chicken, rice, vegetables, salad, fruit and bread at the Elijah's Promise soup kitchen, where volunteer Asim Munshi said the organization has been involved in the past.

Formed in 2000, Muslims Against Hunger volunteers assist at Elijah's Promise every third Friday of the month, Munshi said.

The organization is spreading throughout the nation as well, with chapters in Boston, Washington D.C., and New York, he said.

Munshi said Muslims Against Hunger is not affiliated with any particular mosque or major Islamic organization. It is a network of Muslims who wish to give back to their community, he said, and recruits very "organically" through networking and word of mouth.

For more information on Muslims Against Hunger, visit www.muslimsagainsthunger.org.

The volunteers at Elijah's Promise were prepared to serve about 100 meals, with a total of 800 prepared that morning at the Somerset mosque, Munshi said.