A Partnership Rooted in Shared Values

Catholic Charities of New York and the Islamic Society of the Bronx joined together this Thanksgiving season to distribute 100 halal turkeys to neighborhood families — a collaboration grounded in compassion, dignity, and a shared commitment to serving neighbors in need. The event was hosted at the Islamic Society of the Bronx and supported by leadership from both organizations, including Lisa Flores, CEO of Catholic Charities Community Services, who helped distribute turkeys alongside volunteers and community members.

For Zafar Mohammed, Executive Secretary and longtime member of the Islamic Society’s Executive Board, the moment felt especially meaningful. “We were looking at doing some kind of interfaith collaboration,” he explained. “Catholic Charities reached out and said we have turkeys and we’d love to distribute it, and I saw that as an opportunity because in these times there’s so, so much division.”

Zafar, who has served at the Islamic Society since its founding in 2008, saw the distribution as a chance not only to help families facing hardship but also to build bridges across faith traditions.

Meeting Quiet Needs with Compassion

The Bronx community served by the Islamic Society includes many working families, recent immigrants, and neighbors balancing rising costs with the pressures of daily life. Zafar notes that many community members hesitate to ask for help.

“People kind of suffer in silence,” he said. “Whether it’s shame or pride, they’re not forthcoming with their struggles. That’s why these outreaches are so much more needed.”

The values of his faith guided his enthusiasm for the partnership with Catholic Charities. “In our religion, we are expected as Muslims to give 2.5% of our wealth annually to the poor. It’s a requirement,” he shared. “And if your neighbor is going hungry — regardless of who that person is — something’s wrong. We’re supposed to start with our neighbors and then expand.”

This distribution offered a simple yet powerful way to do exactly that.

A Joyful Response from the Community

The impact of the event was visible the moment families began arriving. Zafar had sent out a message the day before announcing the distribution, and the response was immediate.

“It was amazing,” he said. “I saw people just laughing, big smiles on their face while they were walking in. I saw people in shock and just so surprised it was happening.” He noted that this level of enthusiasm isn’t something he sees for every announcement, underscoring how meaningful the support felt during a difficult season. “You could tell people really genuinely appreciated it,” Zafar said.

For many families, the turkey represented much more than a meal — it was reassurance that their community sees them, supports them, and stands beside them.

A Powerful Message of Interfaith Unity

At a time when polarization and division are increasingly visible across society, Zafar believes this collaboration sends a hopeful and necessary message.

“There is so much divisiveness right now and people are pitted against each other,” he said. “All of our faiths have the same thing: looking out for community, making sure your neighbors are happy, safe, healthy, not going hungry. Doing these things together is much, much more impactful than if we were doing it individually.”

He hopes this is only the beginning. The Islamic Society, he emphasized, is eager to continue partnering with Catholic Charities — not just for its own members, but for communities across New York.

“To the donors who made this possible: thank you very much,” Zafar said. “The community very much appreciated it. I would love to see more collaboration and more interfaith dialogue. We would love to help wherever Catholic Charities is helping as well.”

Looking Ahead with Hope

As 100 families carry home halal turkeys to prepare their holiday meals, the partnership between Catholic Charities and the Islamic Society stands as a reminder of what is possible when communities reach across differences with generosity and shared purpose.

Moments like these, Zafar reflected, offer real hope. “Seeing these opportunities starting to surface gives me a lot of hope,” he said.

This Thanksgiving, the Bronx witnessed that hope in action — neighbors serving neighbors, faiths working hand in hand, and a community strengthened by compassion.