A Muslim Joins the Fight Against AIDS

As-salaamu aleykum,

This is my first post since becoming a member of this forum.

I will be participating in a bicycling event in July 2004 as part of a fundraiser on behalf of AIDS research and treatment in Hawaii. This event is call "Paradise Ride 2004".

Altogether, the ride will cross four of the islands in the State of Hawaii and go for a total of almost 360 miles. This event will take place from 17 to 23 July 2004.

I am sure many of our more conservative brothers and sisters may object to my participation, due to the fact that most AIDS victims in Hawaii are either homosexuals or IV drug users. 

But, I see a larger picture at stake here: there are so many people who are completely innocent of any wrongdoing, yet have become infected with this plague. When a cure is found, it will benefit homosexuals and IV drug users, but so what? I feel that the treatment and cure will benefit us all, not just those individuals whose lifestyles some may object to. I have friends who are gay and I wouldnt want them to die of this disease, either.

My two major concerns are: getting myself more prepared for the Ride and collecting the required amount of donations ($2500) before the event begins in July.

One day, when the cure for AIDS is found, people are going to think about all the people who gave of their time, effort and money to make it happen. They may ask what the Muslims did to help bring it about. After July 2004, no one will be able to say that Muslims just sat this one out. Because, *THIS* Muslim is going.

I have asked so many people for donations. So, far, I actually gotten three. I've sought help from Muslims, Jews, agnostics, Buddhists, etc. Of the three people who've sent their promised donations in: one is Jewish, one is an agnostic and one is a Muslim. So far, I'm not too worried about meeting the goal of $2500, since I have time.

There is an interesting story I'd like to share.

Years ago, I worked as a security guard at an apartment building close to where I live. One night, I found a prostitute in the parking lot with one of her customers. I asked them to leave and they did. The man was embarrassed, but the prostitute just took it in stride, since it had happened to her before.

Over the years, I would occasionally see that prostitute out on the street. There are no hard feelings over my asking her to leave that lot, years ago. She knows I was only doing my job and I know she was only trying to make a living. We say hello and smile at each other. We know each others names. I've offered to buy her a cup of coffee on cold nights when I saw her out there.

Recently, she found me sitting on a bench in Waikiki, where I live, and sat down next to me. We asked how the other was doing and made smalltalk. Offhandedly, I mentioned that I would be doing the Paradise Ride and I told her what its about.

After hearing this, she seemed emotionally affected by what I had said. I guess she is so accustomed to men and women who are primarily concerned with helping themselves or their friends, that a man who was willing to help total strangers took her off-guard. Without my asking her, she offered to make a donation! I didnt have any donation forms on me at the time but I gave her one the next time I saw her. She evnt old me that she try to get the other prostitutes to contribute something.

I dont know if she will really make the donation. I doubt her pimp will let her give anyone, besides himself, any money at all. If he found-out, the results for her could range from getting yelled at to being beaten. 

I'm just glad to let her know that not everyone is out for themselves. There really are people out there, whom she knows, who will help people just because its the right thing to do.

I've offered to bicycle at other charity fundraisers here in Hawaii. I guess I can be called a "Bicycle Jihadi", using my bicycle for charity work in my communty and my jihad is to raise money to find cures for diseases that affect Muslim and non-Muslim alike.

As-salaamu Aleykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

`Isa Abdul-Tawwab
(Duane Browning)
Paradise Rider #1219
http://www.paradiseridehawaii.org