Itasca Continues the Christmas Tradition of the Luminaria
Girl Scouts from Islamic Center of Naperville Captured the Hearts of Firefighters
Girl Scouts of the Girl Scouts of America Troop, chartered under the Scouting Program at the Islamic Center of Naperville (ICN), utilized their day off on December 25th and delivered breakfast baskets, simultaneously to the 10 fire stations around Naperville. Among the healthy items were fresh fruit, coffee cake, Bagels and cream cheeses with the help of Michelle George, from Panera catering; and scrambled eggs with veggies prepared by Eggs Inc. in downtown Naperville by Gus Vassos. The breakfast was a gesture of gratitude for the firefighters who everyday commit themselves for the safety and well being of people in our communities.
The visit continued beyond serving of the breakfast; it was followed by the girls' one-on-one interactions with the firefighters aimed at appreciating the nature of their jobs, challenges faced by them, and their message to youth.
It was not an ordinary breakfast; it was extraordinary and special as it was coupled with pure innocence and true love of the kids. Therefore, it served not only as a pleasant surprise to the firefighters, but also won their hearts. For the firefighters, it proved to be a memorable experience of their lives as well as for the Girl Scouts.
"While we received a number of gifts from our friends and relatives on the occasion of this Christmas, the breakfast from the kids seemed as if it was a special gift from the God himself", said the firefighters.
Aadil Farid, President, ICN said that the visits by the Girl Scouts were meant to recognize, appreciate, and acknowledge the services provided by our brave firefighters and to express our thanks and gratitude for the multifarious sacrifices they make in the course of discharging their duties, including working on December 25th, which happens to be a public holiday, across the globe.
"Thanking people for their good deeds is one of the core Islamic values, as Prophet Muhammed (Peace be Upon him) taught that one who does not thank people, cannot thank the Creator", Farid added.
"As our Christian friends celebrate Christmas, we use this opportunity to remember the importance of Jesus Christ (PBUH) in Islam, considering the fact that an entire chapter in the Holy Qur'an is dedicated to Virgin Mary (PBUH)", said Aiman Beg, Chairman of the ICN Committee on Scouting. "On this blessed occasion, we pray to God to protect our service men and women, our neighbors, and this great nation", he added.
Aiman Beg further stated that today's program was aimed at making the Girl Scouts prepare them for taking up high impact community service projects in future.
Saima Hasan, the Program Director said that the Girl Scouts are the ambassadors of peace. "By taking up multiple social service initiatives, irrespective of caste, creed, and religion, we send a powerful message to our Fellow-Americans that the Muslim community is very much part of the American fabric, stands shoulder-to-shoulder with them, and contributes equally to all nation-building endeavors", she added
Saima Hasan further stated that in the past, the scouts participated in a number of community service activities that were undertaken at ICN. "Earlier this year, the Troop, planted red, white, and blue flowers near the safety plaza between the Police and Fire Departments by using their cookie sales", she added and thanked the team leaders, including Arshia Ahmed, Nahid Qureshi, Afshan Syeda, Uzma Khalid, Noura Almasri, Ghazala Ansari and Sadia Kazmi and also parents, including Shabana Khadri, Mehmooda Ahmad, Shazia Iftekhar Amber Habib and Nadia Farooqui who took an active part till the activities of the Girls Scouts.