Community Compassion: Mosques Welcome Neighbors Amid Texas Freeze
Acts of kindness bridge faiths as DFW mosques provide refuge
Mosques and Muslim communities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area opened their doors to those in need as the Arctic cold swept through Texas this weekend.
Due to inclement weather, the Islamic Centre of Frisco served as a temporary warming shelter, prompting a groundswell of appreciation from area residents.
The East Plano Islamic Centre also opened its hearts – and doors – to residents in need of a warm place to stay as the cold spread throughout Texas.
Many in the community praised the Muslim community for opening their doors and assisting, noting that Plano residents were as helpful to Murphy residents in 2021 when they had no power for seven days during the storm.
Josh Helms wrote on Facebook that he was not Muslim, but there is so much hate in the world. “But thank you so much for being here and for opening your facility to those who need it. No matter what religion you are, we are still human, and this is basic humanity.”
Nada Ahmed Farouk said she had shopped for her 80-year-old neighbour, and that her son and daughter had helped the neighbour shovel the snow. “Hope this storm brings mercy to people’s hearts.”
Andrew McCaffrey thanked Epic for what it was doing for fellow Texans. “It is a blessing to have people who care about our community and those in need.”
On Friday, the East Plano Islamic Center distributed warm blankets to community members in need. Non-Muslim resident Caroline Gombera wrote on Facebook that although she was not a believer in Islam, she would love to help.
Tasmia Mahmud invited her to contact the organisation about volunteering.
Meanwhile, The Samaritan Inn, a comprehensive housing programme that supports individuals in realising dignity and achieving independence, announced it recently received a $10,000 gift from the McKinney Masjid, a branch of the McKinney Islamic Association.
During a visit, The Samaritan Inn had the honor of presenting the association with a blue wall tile in recognition of their commitment to volunteerism, generous financial support, and meaningful partnership.
Hours before North Texas plunged into freezing temperatures Friday night, The Dallas Morning News reported that Muslim, Presbyterian and Catholic volunteers were hard at work in Plano, giving their unhoused neighbors a warm welcome.
They transformed the gymnasium of East Plano Islamic Center early in the afternoon, laying plastic tarps on the wooden floor of the basketball court. Volunteers buzzed around setting up nearly 160 metal cots, folding donated clothes, toting tables and chairs and laying out bedding and plastic cutlery before they welcomed guests at 6:30 p.m. for dinner.
The shelter opens its doors for the night whenever the forecast shows freezing temperatures overnight or temperatures below 40 degrees with a high likelihood of rain.
As North Texas braces for more than 80 hours of below-freezing temperatures, sleet and snow, seven teams of volunteers from the EPIC mosque and churches, such as the First Baptist Church of Plano and the Custer Road United Methodist Church, will work in shifts to keep the shelter open round-the-clock until Tuesday.
Several Muslim organizations in the DFW rallied to assist people without heat or power and advertised their contact details for people who needed help urgently.
The Islamic Association of Collin County in Plano assisted residents in dealing with a pipe freeze that caused water damage to their home.
The National Weather Service expects the cold snap to continue this week, with schools throughout Texas closed on Monday.