During the holy month of Ramadan, which ran from April 23 to May 23, Muslim practitioners engaged in fasting, prayer, reflection and community outreach. With the onset of the coronavirus crisis, those sentiments have been all the more important, said Mubaraka Malbari, a spokesperson for the Dawoodi Bohra community of Austin.
The Dawoodi Bohra community of Austin has worked to provide financial assistance and offered support to first responders and essential personnel during the health crisis, Malbari said. In the past few months, the congregation has only been able to meet virtually, but Malbari said that has not impeded them from assisting area communities.
Malbari said the Dawoodi Bohra community has provided financial assistance to the Central Texas Food Bank, a partner of theirs in previous food drives and community efforts. The community has sewn and donated more than 100 masks to The Mask Brigade, a Williamson County-based task force that aims to support first responders, medical personnel and high-risk residents.
"Most people were just very grateful," Malbari said. "Overall, it's been a lot of positive sentiments and people happy to hear that we were available."
