IM's Eid for Refugees Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

1)  What is IM’s Eid for Refugees?

IM’s Eid for Refugees is an annual event in which families come together in support of newly-arrived refugees in our city. This year fundraising will occur during the month of Ramadan, and while Eid al-Fitr is not until early-June, this year's Eid Workday Event will take place on Monday, May 13th at IM's Albert and Ethel Herzstein Building at 3303 Main Street, 77002, with two work shifts available: one at 4:30 pm and one at 6:00 pm . During this event, participants will assemble care packages filled with housewares and shelf staples for our newly-arrived refugee families. 

2)  What is Eid?

In the Muslim tradition, Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and prayer when Muslims commemorate the first revelation of the Quran. Eid, which is the Arabic word for "festival" or "holiday," is a celebratory day that concludes the month of fasting, and it also a day when Muslims focus on community, family, and generosity. 

3)  What is a refugee?

A refugee is a person who has been forced to leave his/her home country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

4)  Where do IM's refugees come from?

In the past thirty years, IM's Refugee Services department, in conjunction with the U.S. State Department, Episcopal Migration Ministries and Church World Service, has helped resettle refugees from over thirty countries. Currently our top countries for resettlement are Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

5)  How do I participate in IM's Eid for Refugees?

To participate, you must register yourself or your family by clicking here. Once registered, you have the option to send emails to your friends and family to help fundraise for refugees.

6)  I can’t attend the Eid Workday Event on May 13th. Can I still help?

Absolutely. We also need you to fundraise for our refugees. Click here to register to fundraise. You can create a personal page in the participant center and email your family and friends to ask for their help in providing for refugees in Houston. In fact, this year all the donations will be matched by The Robinhood Fund so their gift will go twice as far. 

7)  Where is the Eid Workday Event?

The Eid event is held at IM's Albert and Ethel Herzstein Building, 3303 Main Street, 77002. 

8)  What happens at the Eid Workday Event?

We will be assembling care packages for refugee families. There will be a brief presentation about Eid and about IM’s role in refugee resettlement, and the children will make welcome cards.  

9)  When is the deadline to sign up to attend the Eid Workday Event?

The deadline to register to attend the Eid Workday Event is May 10th.

10)  What do I need to bring to the Eid Workday Event?

You do not need to bring anything in particular to the event.

11) What is an Iftar? Can anyone attend?

When you register, you will see three options to sign up.  One includes attending the Iftar Dinner for those who volunteer during the 6 pm Workday Event. An Iftar is a dinner that is the first meal of the day for people who are fasting during Ramadan.  At IM's Eid for Refugees Iftar, everyone is welcome, but there are limited seats and we need an exact headcount when you register. There will be a buffet dinner, interfaith prayers and education about Islam and Ramadan for those who are interested. We anticipate that the dinner will end around 10 pm.  

12)  Do I have to fundraise or donate to participate?

You do not have to fundraise or donate to participate. Keep in mind that many of our refugee families struggle to make ends meet. We are asking you to help alleviate their struggles by donating or fundraising for our refugee families. Donating as little as $25 can provide new shoes or school supplies for a refugee child.  

13)  How do I encourage my friends to donate?

After you register as a Work Day volunteer or as a fundraiser, you will be prompted to log into the Participant Center. Once you log in there, you will see several sample emails that we have created for you. All you have to do is enter your friends’ email addresses and personalize the messages if you want to and hit send. It's very fast and can make a huge difference in the lives of our newest neighbors. 

14)  I would like to designate my donations to go toward Zakat purposes. Is this possible?

Yes. There is a box you can check on the bottom of the form when you make your donation to designate your gift for Zakat al Mal. Sheikh Joe Bradford will be acting as IM's Zakat advisor for this project.

15)  I'm not Muslim.  Can I still participate in IM's Eid for Refugees?

Absolutely. Like all of IM's events, this is an interfaith event.