From a first ray of light...
The month of ramadan is a wonderful school which invite the believers to have an exceptional quality: generosity.
Nevertheless, an observation is compiled: some do not benefit from this spirit of solidarity. The French Muslim inmate population is part of the "forgotten" list. Stereotypical images of the prison, as well as difficulties of access to jails can partly explain this omission.
A group of volunteers was then born to bring support and comfort to this population to break their fasting in better conditions. Food parcels are then distributed during the month of ramadhan.
... who is growing
"We are truly aware of realities only when we faced there..."
Parcel distribution led to measure the distress of some incarcerated often experiencing the loss of their guides, but also experiencing many internal conflicts that live in themselves.
Discussions with detainees revealed that beyond a simple terrestrial food, they felt the natural need to return to God. The man is in perpetual quest for the meaning of life and this is especially true in a close environment, where inmates are isolated
Aware of this need to return to the original essence (fitra), the idea of a coaching and a spiritual support to Muslim inmates incarcerated flows. This project won the enthusiasm of the chaplains, of prisoners and the prison administration. They become all aware of the importance of such an initiative in this context.
Transmit the spiritual message becomes the leitmotif of this collective.
... to national structure enlighten
The idea to found an association germ in heads and hearts of volunteers, and it's in December 2006 that it will materialize. This new step will gather around to a common project of many volunteers for the same cause, and thus enable to widen the network of the ambassadors of ALLAH.
In 2008, the association has a phenomenal momentum. Embassies are located in all jails from Ile-de- France. Success is such that jails in the North of France sought the intervention of the association of their inmates.
The association took in 2009 the name of LIFE: Ligue Islamique Française pour l'Education (French Islamic League for Education)
... of international reputation
The originality of its actions, professionalism and determination of its actors has facilitated the success of the association. Today, LIFE is recognized till black Africa, through Saudi Arabia, England and the Islands. Glory to Him!
Light over light
Gradually, LIFE expands its field of expertise: in addition to its action in the prison's evironment, the association intervenes to fill other institutional gaps. Today, its intervention policy is to work for the benefit of the Muslim community in offering access to the Islamic spiritual education, regardless of the location where it is. The association defines its plan of action through 3 cross-cutting themes: « To Transmit, To Train, and To Build ».
Firmly convinced of the benefit and the universal scope of the call to Islam, the ambition of the association is to multiply its ambassadors across the globe. This aim, far from being an offence of interference, proves to be an act of fraternity, solidarity and love for his neighbor.
LIFE brings together already many volunteer ambassador thanks to God and national and international partners, and operates in more than 15 countries.
