Inmates’ Letter Writing Campaign by Akhlaque Haque

Every year in Ramadan, the Birmingham Human Rights Committee participates in the Letter Writing Campaign to remember the Muslim prisoners who are incarcerated in Federal Prisons throughout the United States. The campaign was initiated 5 years ago by Sister Sharmin Sadequee from New York. As part of the project Muslim brothers and sisters write a short note on a greeting card to share the thought that prisoners are not forgotten and we Muslims in the US care for them.

Through the letters, prisoners know that they are always part of our community and that they are in our prayers. Sometimes it’s just a letter from the community that can make a lot of difference inside the four walls of prison cells. The letter from someone who cares can be a charity or sadaqa for our Muslim prisoners, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, requiring only a few minutes. Even just one message and du’aa (prayers) can make all the difference for a brother or a sister isolated from his or her beloved family and community. Birmingham Human Rights Committee is proud to support this initiative for the last 5 years.