From CBS-3 (Philadelphia)
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (CBS) — The Jewels of Islam is an network of more than 120 women that provides support for aging women across faiths. It is believed to be one of the only Muslim women’s outreach organizations for seniors in Pennsylvania.
“Anytime a person is in need, or if a person is sick, we get the word out,” says Rafiqa Abdul Rasheed, who helped start the initiative in the basement of her home
twenty-four years ago. “We have a visiting committee where we visit our homebound and frail older adults.”
The Jewels of Islam meets the second Sunday of each month at the Masjidullah, on Ogontz Avenue near 77th Avenue.
Over the years they have helped hundreds of women. Rasheed, who works as a social gerontologist, says the Jewels help relieve the ladies of isolation and depression, and keep them active.
“It gives them something to look forward to,” she says. “It allows them to make friends and do new things with their lives.”
Many of the sisters who receive help go back to school, they raise grandchildren and great-grands, and much more. Some even get to work, giving back.
