Volunteer Spotlight - Nahida Abdallah
by Connie Martin
Volunteers must possess certain qualities - dedication, commitment, willingness to help, and above all, the desire to please God by helping others. These qualities and more are apparent in Mosque Foundation  volunteer Nahida Abdallah. A regular volunteer at the Mosque Foundation Community Food Pantry, Nahida says she loves to help people, and that attending the mosque programs has changed her life. "After I went through a difficult divorce, I knew I owe Allah for taking care of me and my boys," Nahida reflects, "I feel like the masjid is the place to forget about life's problems. I come here and I feel peace, like all the stress goes away." Nahida says she has grown spiritually and learned more in later years than when she was younger. "I am a different person than I was before. Praying all the janazahs has been a wake-up call for me, especially seeing young people dying. It made me realize that we don't take anything with us but our deeds, and life is so short." Along with volunteering every Monday in the Food Pantry, Nahida is also a regular volunteer during Ramadan and Eid. When asked what advice she would give to others about volunteering, Nahida offers this advice, "Volunteer before it's too late, you never know when your time is up. The masjid is the best place to go, it will make you a better person. Even if you are unable to help much, just smile and be friendly to people, that means a lot. Bring your children and teach them to love and respect the masjid when they're young." May Allah reward all our dedicated volunteers. |