Much is made of the need to invest in the youth of the Muslim community. But in a nation whose elderly population growth rate is outpacing the rest of society, the need to service the older generation is being felt in masjid communities everywhere.

For some Muslims in Montgomery County, Maryland, serving the elders of the community has been a rallying call.

“The idea to serve our senior community [was there] since [our] inception,” said Sister Irma Hafeez, President of the non-profit Montgomery County Muslim Foundation. The grassroots, volunteer run organization recently launched a free bus service to provide transportation to Friday prayers for elderly Muslims. Still in its initial stages, the service only serves the Islamic Center of Maryland in Gaithersburg.

The MCMF is a sister organization to the Montgomery County Muslim Council, a group formed in 2002 to promote Muslim political involvement and civic engagement at the local level.

“We have been actively working on [the bus service] since last year. This is the first step towards our overall plan of eventually creating a cultural and social center for our seniors,” explained Hafeez.

The bus cost MCMF about $24,000, funds being raised through donations from the Muslim community and from MCMF board members.

The United States Census Bureau projects the number of persons 65 years old and over “would more than double by the middle of the next century.”  The bureau estimates about 1 in 8 Americans were elderly in 1994, but about 1 in 5 would be elderly by the year 2030, making the elderly the fastest growing age segment in the nation.

Hafeez and the MCMF recognize this trend and are hoping to be ready to serve.

“[Our] short term plan is to provide our isolated seniors a means for social networking, independence and dignity. [Our] long term plan is to provide mobility for [elders] to promote independence, self worth and happiness,” she explained.

For now the bus service is limited to round trips from homes to the ICM and back. Hafeez says services will be expanded as the needs become clear. MCMF estimates the free bus service for Friday prayer costs about $60 per hour to operate.

MCMF is asking the community to spread the word about this service, particularly to residents of Montgomery County. To donate or learn more, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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