The Arab American Action Network invites you to attend A CAFE INTIFADA IFTAR for YOUTH

Learn about the tradition of Ramadan!
Share a meal with other youth from around Chicago!
Performances, martial arts, video, spoken word, music & dance.

Thursday, November 11th
5:00 – 9:00

Doors Open at 4:30pm
IFTAR will begin (around 5:00pm)
Performances will begin at 6:00pm

At the Arab Community Center
3148 West 63rd Street
Chicago, IL 60629

JOIN US FOR THE “BREAKING OF THE FAST”
BE PART OF THE “NATIONAL FASTATHON”

Donation: $5.00
***Proceeds will go to emergency relief funds in GAZA and HAITI
“The best charity is the one given during Ramadan” (Prophet Muhammad, PBUH).

Cosponsored by:
The Muslim Student Association of the University of Chicago, Southwest Youth Collaborative and Al-AWDA Chicago.

To RSVP, to make a donation, to perform, or just for more information call the Arab American Action Network at 773 436 6060 x 105 or email s_adely (at) yahoo.com.

What is the National Fastathon?
Ramadan is the month in the Islamic calendar in which Muslims all over the world fast from food and drink from dawn until sunset. Fasting also means controlling negative words, thoughts and actions. The purpose is to learn discipline and be in solidarity with the poor and oppressed. As part of the fastathon, non-Muslims choose to participate in the fast for one day with Muslims and break fast together on a particular day. Participants ask friends and family to sponsor their fast with a donation. These donations are then given to charity in the spirit of Ramadan. This year we are asking our friends and allies to participate in the fastathon and join us for a joyous IFTAR (breaking of the fast) on the night of 11/11. All fastathon and IFTAR donations will be sent to support relief efforts in GAZA and HAITI.

A word about GAZA:
Last September, Israel embarked on a campaign of killing, maiming and destruction in the Gaza Strip. Since then, hundreds of Palestinians have been Killed and injured, including a large number of children. Hundreds of homes in Jabaliya, Beit Hanoun, Khan Yunis, Rafah and Beit Lahia continue to be destroyed on a daily bases, leaving an already impoverished population homeless and vulnerable to the rain and cold of winter, prompting the UN and humanitarian relief organizations to warn that the specter of malnutrition and food shortage is haunting Gaza. Proceeds will be given to the Emergency Gaza Relief Fund of the national Al-AWDA, Palestine Right to Return Coalition.

A word about HAITI: According to Haitian officials, tropical storm Jeanne, which struck the island on September 16th and 17th, has left more than 1,600 people dead and another 900 residents missing. The storm destroyed over 8,000 homes and damaged 10 hospitals. Many parts of the island, especially the city of Gonaives, are without electricity or telephone, because of severe flooding. The Rainbow/PUSH Coalition has launched a nationwide drive to collect food, water, medicine, clothing, plywood and other supplies for the survivors of Hurricane Jeanne, which decimated parts of Haiti several weeks ago. We would like to help in that effort.