OUR MISSION
To facilitate inmates’ transition to the communities by providing them opportunities to self-reflect because “Thinking Matters”.
News
- Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has hired a Muslim Chaplain to the chaplaincy team. Imam
Hamid Hardizi has been serving brothers and sisters inside since 2015. It is such a game changer
for timely intervention and support in collaboration with other Chaplains. - Salaam Team Members Ahmet Gunduz, Joseph Clark and Aijaz Ahmed visited IMAN
Central (Inner-City Muslim Action Network) in Chicago June 12th & 13th, 2023. Thanks to Br. Jose Acevendo, Director Reentry for making in possible to meet all program leaders in Behaviroal Health, Communication, Development, Green ReEntry, Housing & Case Management, and Strategic Planning. This was a learning experience of life time for three of us. - In an effort to document Volunteer visits to Texas Prisons, Chaplain Hardizi, Chaplain Gunduz and Br. Aijaz have visited DFW and Austin/San Antonio Communities on August 27th and Oct 1st, respectively. Three of us we at the Islamic Society of Central Texas on October 14th. Kileen, Temple and Waco representatives attended the meeting. We talked about holding annual symposium in four major metro areas in Texas. We will further explore that in our 5th Annual Symposium on December 9, 2023 in Houston.
- In an effort to serve all fifteen TDCJ female unit Salaam Reentry has been providing Dawah materials to the unit Chaplains since May 2021. Salaam’ plan is to engage two brothers/sisters to serve eight units in and around Gatesville. Chaplain Baquee Sabur with Huma faith may serve three units up north and Chaplain Ahmet Gunduz to have Houston sisters visit four units around Houston.
- Harri County Award Ceremony will be held on January 17, 2023. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez was award certificates of appreciation to:
- ISGH President Ayeman Kabire for their sponsorship of Muslim Chaplain to county jails that inspired Sheriff Gonzalez to recruit full- time Muslim Chaplain Hamid Hardizi.
- Salaam Reentry President Badar Alam for providing approx. 5000 Qurans annually to the Harris County Jail Commissary. Free Qurans are provided to any inmate requesting it.
- 2024 local annual symposiums are being planned in DFW and Austin/San Antonio/Central Texas are being planned the local teams, in addition to the Houston’s Texas Dawah & Reentry Symposium.
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Chaplaincy is slowly getting back to serving inmates. All Chapels in three Jails are reserved for Juma’ and
Taleem Friday and Saturday, respectively. Community needs to move forward and benefit from Fard
Kifayah: enabling about 500 Muslims to offer their weekly congregation.
Taleem Friday and Saturday, respectively. Community needs to move forward and benefit from Fard
Kifayah: enabling about 500 Muslims to offer their weekly congregation.
Where Can You Start Your Journey?
It is important to note that the reentry process begins during incarceration. Here are several ways in which you can assist in our efforts forward:
It is important to note that the reentry process begins during incarceration. Here are several ways in which you can assist in our efforts forward:
- Join Muslim Mentor Program, a Sheriff-approved Reentry Program. Make Juma, Friday Prayer, in Harris County Jails located in downtown Houston.
- Serve the incarcerated in jails/prisons in your area. Network and engage to bring Muslim volunteer organizations to a state-wide Platform.
- Get involved in Salaam’s 2022 Female unit visits, in collaboration with TDCJ unit Chaplains and Muslim Imams/Chaplains.