“Dignity in a West Bank refugee camp.”

A brief appeal to our subscribers and readers.

Ramadan. Awdeh Center, New Askar Refugee Camp, Nablus. (With permission.)

16 MAY—Later this month, West Bank Palestinian families will celebrate Eid al–Adah, one of two major Islamic holidays, in the New Askar Refugee Camp in Nablus. I’m raising funds to provide food and clothing so that the poorest families of New Askar can mark this occasion with the dignity they deserve.

Eid al–Adha begins this year on 27 May and lasts three or four days, depending on the movements of the moon. During this holiday it’s customary for meat to be served at celebratory community meals. Like religious celebrations the world over, Muslims traditionally wear their best clothes when celebrating Eid as an expression of respect and dignity.

In New Askar, the Development and Rehabilitation Association, known locally as the Awdeh Center, is raising funds to provide meat for community meals and clothing for the poorest families and children. I began a fundraising campaign on Chuffed to help the Center so that the people of New Askar can have a meaningful holiday. Because of the dire economic situation in the West Bank, many people cannot afford new clothing or the modest luxury of eating meat. The celebration of Eid becomes an opportunity to provide both—including important dietary protein—for the most vulnerable people.

We have a short period of time—one week—in which to raise $1,000, the equivalent of 3,000 shekels. With your contributions we can ensure that the people of New Askar have a joyous Eid. These few days of celebration are especially important because they offer the community a respite from the relentless violence that circumscribes their lives.

Please click here to contribute.

The Awdeh Center works to meet critical needs of the community with a special focus on the camp’s children. The Floutist previously raised money for the Center to purchase winter blankets for kids. Many of you helped to make that campaign a great success, and we had extra funds with which to provide winter coats for some of the children. Let us now help these same families enjoy their holiday celebrations.

Please contribute whatever you can so that the people of New Askar may celebrate this Eid with lifted eyes and lifted hearts and knowing they have friends in the world.

You can click here to contribute. You can also share this campaign and help spread the word. We have one week to do this.

Thank you!

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