Make a difference this Eid by joining thousands of Muslims across Washington State to spread the joy of Eid to your neighbors and co-workers of other faiths! By meeting and starting personal relationships with your neighbors, YOU are helping change the views on Islam/Muslims held by thousands of fellow Americans!
We've made it easy for you and your friends to participate and make this project your own!
Here's how:
- Pick up at least 5 Eid Greetings Cards (click here to download a pdf version) or find a high-quality version at your local mosque, for at least 5 of your neighbors and co-workers, and a page of instructions for yourself.
- Feel free to pick up extra cards and instructions from your local mosque and give to your extended family so they too can share the joy of Eid with their own neighbors and co-workers of other faiths.
- Buy 5 candy bars from a local grocery store.
- Attach each Eid Greetings Card to a candy bar (use ribbon, blue, tape, etc.) and sign the back of the card.
- Take photos of your Eid gift bundle (Candy + Eid Greetings Cards) and post them onto your social media pages. Hashtag #Eid2017 on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. Your story may be picked up by local news channels!
- Visit at least 5 neighbors near you, introduce yourself and your family, wish them a “Happy Eid” and offer them the Eid gift bundle (Candy + Eid Greetings Card). This year, make new friends in your neighborhood by reaching out to neighbors you haven’t met before. Be sure to visit neighbors who have different political views or have biases against Islam/Muslims, so they get to know you and your family personally. Have your family, especially kids, come with you.
- Important: Consider inviting the neighbors, co-workers, and your (or your kids’) teachers, classmates and parents, to your home for an upcoming Eid party, birthday party or other gathering at your home with your family.
Spread the word, get others involved
- Forward this event page www.cairwa.org/Eid to your family and friends and encourage them to share the joy of Eid with their neighbors and co-workers of other faiths.
- Pick up extra cards and instructions from a mosque and give to your extended family so they too can share the joy of Eid with their own neighbors and co-workers of other faiths.
- Visit the Facebook 'event' page at www.facebook.com/events/262673834136697 to see an updated list of mosques statewide where you can pick up your Eid cards!
More tips
Click here for an illustrated guide on how to meet your new neighbors.
Click here for more ideas on how to meet new neighbors.
Why this project?
According to a 2009 ABC News/Washington Post poll:
"Unfamiliarity is a central factor in [Americans' negative perception of Islam and Muslims]. 55% of Americans concede that they lack a good basic understanding of Islam; about as many, 53 percent, don't personally know a Muslim. People who profess an understanding of Islam, or know a Muslim, have much more positive views of the religion."
This, combined with the findings of a May 2016 survey that more than 35% of Democrats and 50% of likely voters of all parties supported then-candidate Donald Trump’s ban on Muslim immigration (CLICK HERE to see that poll and findings) show a great need for American Muslims to build personal relationships with fellow Americans of other faiths especially with the many who might hold biases against Islam/Muslims. It is up to us to ensure that those around us, especially those who might hold biases against Islam/Muslims, learn about the lives, hopes and dreams of our families and children.
By joining thousands of Washington State Muslims statewide in meeting and starting personal relationships with your neighbors, YOU are helping change the views on Islam/Muslims held by THOUSANDS of fellow Americans!