Inroduction

 

Assalamu Alaikum! 

Recent events including a Muslim family from our community that had 3
boys placed in a non-Muslim foster home is among many numerous similar
incidents that has led to the formation of this initiative to raise
awareness of this growing need for Licensed Muslim Foster Resource
Parents. Perhaps the most publicized problem with the current system
became apparent in March 13, 2010.

[Ahmed was born to Muslim parents. However, Ahmed was separated from
his natural parents and placed with a Christian foster family even
though Muslim foster parents were available, including Ahmed’s
paternal uncle, who completed all the paperwork and the training
required to qualify to provide foster care. More recently, Ahmed has
been denied all visitations with his natural parents, even though they
continue to seek reunification through the courts. Also, police
reports and hospital emergency room reports have been brought to our
attention that indicate the alleged abuse of this little child while
he has been under the care of the foster parents. It has been reported
to CAIR-NJ that, during open court proceedings, the foster mother
admitted to hitting Ahmed with a hair brush, later saying that it was
a mistake and that it only happened because she forgot to take her
medication that day. Accompanying hospital emergency room reports
reflect that the bruises on the child were “consistent with corporal
punishment or physical abuse.”

The foster parents have stated their intent to adopt Ahmed and have
apparently begun the adoption process. CAIR-NJ has been informed that
Ahmed’s name has been changed and he is being raised as a Christian.
DYFS policy specifically mandates the requirements on foster families
to continue the religion of the parents or obtain written permission
for a child to attend services of a different religion.] CAIR-NJ June
25, 2010 Update

The following is a plea for Muslim Foster Parents by a Christian
organization, Lutheran Social Services.

"We get calls for Muslim foster families, for Muslim children...and we
cannot place them. When everyone says no, that means they are placed
wherever the state can place them. That will be within a culture and
religion that is foreign to them. Every day they are within a non-
Muslim home diminishes their Muslim identity." Molley Dagget, MSW,
Lutheran Social Services. 

We are looking to start up a Muslim Foster and Family Services non-
profit organization with the following goals:

-to raise awareness for the urgent need of Muslim foster parents to
serve the growing number of Muslim children placed in the state foster
care system and prevent the placement of Muslim children in non-Muslim
homes.

-to highlight the importance of the immediate formation of a support
network for all social aspects of our growing Muslim community.

-to alleviate the anxiety and sense of suffering due to financial,
health, or emotional burdens through the use of open discussion and
referrals to professional for each problem.

-to become a strong positive presence in the community by assisting
people of all faiths.

-to educate the Muslim community of their legal rights with regards to
NJ Department of Children and Families.

We are looking for motivated members of the community to assist in the
following areas:

o       Potential foster parents
o       Family lawyers
o       Child psychologists
o       Social workers
o       Liaison to sister organizations with similar interests
o       Media/ public outreach coordinator
o       Hotline operator
o       Fundraising director 
o       Event planner
o       Website developer
 
Immediate goals for May/June are:

* to spread the word in the Muslim community through the use of social
media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook, Linked-in and other various
list-servs to generate interest and support.

*create a website with all relevant resources

*contact DCF and begin training and licensing of interested families
by July 2011.

*create a referral database and start a dialogue with organizations
that share similar goals.

Please forward this email to anyone you feel that might be interested
in joining this effort. Together insha'Allah we can make a difference!