Carnival Against Hunger

MAJIC’s Mission

On April 28th, 2013, the student leaders of Muslims and Jews Inspiring Change (MAJIC) engaged more than 400 youth across Los Angeles to help eradicate hunger. The issue is important to all Angelenos because every day, men, women and children in our community do not know where their next meal will come from. In fact, more than 1.7 million Los Angeles County residents were at risk for hunger in 2009, more than any other county in America according to research by Feeding America. But the problem is not limited to Los Angeles: one in six families in America is food insecure and this problem will only be aggravated by a weak economy and cuts to social welfare programs. The issue of hunger is central to our religious communities. As Muslims, we are required to help the poor as the Qur’an states, “Give to the nearest kin their dues and also to the needy and wayfarer.” (Al Isra 17:26). Through efforts to serve the needy, we fulfill the duty of zakat or charity, the third pillar of the Islamic faith. As Jews, alleviating hunger is a central issue rooted in our Torah: “If you offer compassion to the hunger and satisfy the famished creature, then shall your light shine in darkness,” (Isaiah 58:10). Through efforts to feed the hungry, we fulfill a mitzvah or commandment of our faith. We ask you to join us in our fight against hunger this April by joining us on Global Youth Service Day to address this important issue.