American Muslim Mom Ramadan Worldwide Meetup Follow-up – A Post-9/11 Reality

American Muslim Mom had it’s first Worldwide Ramadan Meetup Day. It was an honor to get a phone call from Meetup staff to create a special day…as expected I willfully obliged. Little did I know that Meetup, “almost 10 years and 10 million Meetuppers later,” was an idea from a local New Yorker after 9/11. The co-founder and CEO, Scott Heiferman, wrote a quick email to everyone this weekend to share his humble idea which made huge strides nearly a decade later. Heiferman shared (the full email is on their blog),

When the towers fell, I found myself talking to more neighbors in the days after 9/11 than ever before. People said hello to neighbors (next-door and across the city) who they’d normally ignore. People were looking after each other, helping each
other, and meeting up with each other. You know, being neighborly.

A lot of people were thinking that maybe 9/11 could bring people together in a lasting way. So the idea for Meetup was born: Could we use the internet to get off the internet — and grow local communities?

Well, in all honesty, I believe my neighbors need an online lesson then; because this little suburban Midwestern subdivision is far from neighborly. Fortunately, my family and I are not home-bodies or distracted by the less-than-friendly-folk, so we created our “neighbors” of horse-riders, homeschoolers, library-goers…and only after our meetup day came and passed, we finally meet a nice large Muslim community who constantly calls and emails, just as often as our homeschool and horse-pals.

I will share that the internet helped us find places for us to gather and connect with like-minded people at like-minded places, so for that I’m grateful. I’m also proud that because of the American Muslim Mom brand, dozens of Muslim Moms were committed to working hard to organize a local meetup, though some were unsuccessful at having another family join them, like us. Our facebook event page and twitter feed was filled for the day and that was fun! Sister Hanane kept tweeting and facebooking with me. That was the only way I found out that the East Coast experienced an Earthquake! So, we tweeted sister Ameera and alhumdulilah (praise be to God) they were all safe, so much so, that they stayed hours after the fact.

My girls felt connected…in a special way. Scattered are pictures how my girls and I arrived at the library with our netbooks and prizes so we can share them with meetupers. Making du’a (supplications) that someone would show up, they brought their Camul Camul, Muslim hijabi dolls to share and play with too. So, it’s a beginning that I’m proud of. By no means were we discouraged…quite the contrary! To see a Meetup post in Algeria was a blast! An honor! A cause for celebration!

New York Muslim Moms Spend A Day At The Garden

By the organizer, sister Ameera: “It was a day to connect with other sisters in the blessed month of Ramadan and get to know one another. The location we chose was the Botanical Gardens here in Brooklyn New York. The atmosphere was surrounded by the beautiful creations of Allah, gorgeous flowers, trees, and awesome company.

We packed snacks and games, as our children searched for worms in the children’s garden, they learned about butterflies, and made new friends. We enjoyed our meetup so much that we decided to do it every month. Some sisters I have not seen in a long time were there and some I never met before, but have connected with via online. All of us were like old friends. We even had two daddies meetup at the same time and stayed off to the side while the mommies had their social sister time. Our children laughed and played and we discussed our mommy lives, parenting, and catching up. I love the sisterhood that was felt that day. I miss them just thinking about it! Well, can’t wait until the next meet up inshaAllah!”

Toledo, OH Muslim Moms Meetup at Home

3 Muslim Moms met up at my best friend‘s home. It was cozy and fun, and she was asking if they can “Meetup” whenever they want…as long as they logged on online? While it would’ve been cool to see the numbers grow online, the idea of Meeting-Up was met, so that didn’t bother me the least. They’re all dear friends and sisters in Islam, and I pray I could’ve joined in with the tea.

Fremont, CA Muslim Moms Meetup at the Park

Look at this gorgeous setup sister Amnah. She really out did herself, by answering my call to create incentives and gifts for any attendees. Check out her homemade incredibly awesome Eid packages here! MashaAllah, God has willed her such beautiful talents. Even more pictures and Amnah’s full reflections can be found here.

Heiferman concludes

It’s a wonderful revolution in local community, and it’s thanks to everyone who shows up.

Meetups aren’t about 9/11, but they may not be happening if it weren’t for 9/11.

9/11 didn’t make us too scared to go outside or talk to strangers. 9/11 didn’t rip us apart. No, we’re building new community together!!!!

The towers fell, but we rise up. And we’re just getting started with these Meetups.

The truth is, as an Muslim Mom living in America, it’s a reality that people, even our own neighbors will dislike us, make awful faces, do awful things, and try HARD to make us scared to go outside, and would rather not have us Meetup…but, that’s NOT going to stop this little mama! I was born and raised here in America. This is my country, and I’m proud of being an American Muslim Mom. Am I Determined to Meetup and Meetup often!? Yes. I. Am! Who wants to show up and Meet Up with me!? I, too, am just getting started!

If you organized or attended the American Muslim Mom Ramadan Worldwide Meetup and haven’t sent your addresses, ages and genders of your kids, please comment below, so I can search my inbox for your names. Please just send your mailing address to ponn<at>americanmuslimmom.com Gifts compliments of Muslim Toys and Dolls.

 

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Category: Family