LETTER BEHIND BARS
Some of our Partners
Our Support in this noble cause
Our Partners
Please support this new initiative and consider ways in extending this cause to your community and networks. Jarir Bookstore’s unique selection in Islamic and Arabic books are found nowhere else in the USA and this is the inmates only source to choose from thousands of titles ranging from classical to modern. Since Jarir Bookstore is uniquely positioned to do this work, we are currently working on creating a formal non-profit organization to move this initiative forward in a way that would be most beneficial to donors and inmates.
Jarir Bookstore
For the past 30 years
Asala Publishing & Distribution Inc. DBA Jarir Bookstore & Alkitab have been actively working on fulfilling book requests that come from these inmates across the nation requesting Islamic or Arabic Books. In addition to providing books nationally to various Correctional Institutions, they have been working alongside local Southern California community members and organizations who work with Muslim inmates in every capacity to fulfill their Islamic educational needs, and requests.
To support this integral work, we have launched past fundraising campaigns to allow inmates to request books, and other reading materials. 100% of the proceeds from these campaigns will go to these book requests from inmates across the country.Requests for books come in everyday from inmates, help us provide for them in activating a long-term sustainable program; A program that not only creates an inexhaustible fund for these book requests, but one that allows to provide resources beyond books.
Jarir Bookstore also has a decades long partnership with the Senior Chaplain Maria Khani, who has been working with inmates for the past 15 years in all Orange County and Los Angeles jails. She mentors and works with roughly 500 inmates. You can read about her work which has been covered by the Los Angeles Times.
To learn more about Jarir Bookstore visit their website www.jarirbooksusa.com or read this recent article below.
usc2020.nextgenradio.org/the-man-behind-the-literary-heart-of-little-arabia/
Chaplain Maria
The Muslim chaplain who since 2008 has driven from her home in Orange County to volunteer in the Los Angeles jails, works with several other volunteers who provide services at the county jails on a weekly basis, including a Friday prayer service. She’s always rushing to see inmates within a week or so of their requests.
“I’m not super woman,” she said. “I love my job. I love it so much, but I need help.
On a recent visit to Twin Towers Correctional Facility, Khani started her rounds shortly before dawn. She wore a black headscarf and pushed a cart with religious materials to hand out. As she walked, some inmates called out “Salaam Alaykum,” which in Arabic and means “Peace be unto you”.
‘ The work is too important to stay away.
The chaplains in the Los Angeles County jails, some of whom were once behind bars themselves, are united by a simple mission: remind inmates of their humanity. It’s a job they often do in one-on-one visits. They’ll tell jokes, share a prayer, teach a religious text, or simply listen.
Many inmates come from broken homes, have been homeless, or don’t have someone who cares about them. The attention and compassion of a chaplain can go a long way.
To learn more about Chaplain Maria read this recent article here. ‘
latimes.com/california/story/2019-11-02/la-me-inmate-chaplain-requests/
