Why He’s a Food Hero: Mohamed Bahe founded the volunteer group Muslims Giving Back in 2014, a pantry that provides meals and other essentials to the homeless in New York City. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bahe turned his mosque into a food pantry to provide culturally sensitive food to immigrant families. During Ramadan (April 23, 2020-May 23, 2020), Muslims Giving Back brought meals to Herald Square in Manhattan every single night. The group also provided food to activists to demonstrate solidarity during the George Floyd protests through the spring and summer of 2020.
Background: Bahe immigrated to the United States from Algeria when he was nine years old. He began attending services at the Muslim Community Center mosque in Sunset Park after 9/11, and he eventually founded Muslims Giving Back in the space. The organization cooks homemade meals to hand out to people in need, and raised the money to open a bakery in Yemen giving out free bread to hungry Yemeni people. Bahe also assisted in founding the Asiyah Women’s Shelter.
Work: Bahe is the director of the Muslim Community Center in Bay Ridge, and he continues to volunteer with Muslims Giving Back. His work at the Muslim Community Center pays special attention to engaging children and young people with Islam.
Location: Muslim Community Center in Brooklyn
Awards, Praise and Honors: Bahe was honored by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams as one of 87 “COVID Everyday Heroes.”
Website: Muslims Giving Back, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
Resources and References:
- BP Honors “COVID-19 Heroes” Who Reflect Diversity of Brooklyn (Office of the Brooklyn Borough President)
- An Extraordinary Neighbor: Mohamed Bahe Is A Muslim Giving Back (Bklyner)
- Brooklyn-based Non-Profit Fights Racial Injustice While Feeding Protestors (BK Reader)
- Feeding Manhattan’s Hungry, Every Ramadan Night (Associated Press)
- Muslim Charity Spends Holy Month Feeding The Homeless Every Night (Gothamist)
