The 51st Annual Legislative Conference By Syed M. Hassan Staff from Islamic Relief USA attended the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 51st Annual Legislative Conference at the Washington Convention Center in D.C. between September 28-30. IRUSA had a booth set up at the marquee event, which featured top lawmakers, media personalities, nonprofit leaders, and faith leaders, among others. IRUSA’s ties to the Black community stretches back to its founding nearly three decades ago, and has only increased during that time. Many of the community-based organizations that received support during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic are entities run by members of the Black community. The pandemic has been known to…

This Sunday, October 16, 2022 is World Food Day, a day to promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from food insecurity. Across 150 countries worldwide, hundreds of events and outreach activities bring together governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations, the media, and the public with the common goal of leaving no one behind when it comes to food security and healthy diets for all.  In addition to reaching out to our community in digital spaces this World Food Day for food aid support, IRUSA is also hosting a Day of Dignity event in Southern California (look for live footage from the event on our social media). Along with food,…

by Zana Sahyouni Islamic Relief ramps up relief efforts after Hurricane Fiona devastates Puerto Rico On September 19, 2022, Hurricane Fiona made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane: four deaths so far, 3.2 million without power, more than 1 million left without running water, and over 32 inches of rainfall continue to cause flash flooding. Over 1,000 people have evacuated or been rescued across Puerto Rico as floodwaters continue to rise.  Hurricane Fiona hit just two days before the anniversary of Hurricane Maria which killed nearly 3,000 people and destroyed the power grid in 2017. Five years later, the island is once again in crisis. The economic impact on the…

by Zana Sahyouni At Islamic Relief USA, we believe that everyone has a right to dignity, and that is one reason why, every year, we bring Day of Dignity events to communities around the United States. Day of Dignity creates an opportunity for caring individuals from diverse communities to provide services to their neighbors in need. Through Day of Dignity, IRUSA brings volunteers around the world together to distribute food, clothing, blankets, medical care, and other services.  On Sep 10, 2022 APNA Brooklyn Community Center held their fifth annual IRUSA Day of Dignity “Back-to-School” event in Brooklyn, New York. APNA chief executive officer, Erum Hanif, brought the community together, with…

by Syed M. Hassan Islamic Relief USA has long advocated for and supported programs designed to curb food insecurity and improve access to nutritious food. Unfortunately, for millions of Americans, high costs and living in food deserts serve as major roadblocks.  For the first time in 53 years, the White House is hosting a Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, September 28 in Washington, DC. IRUSA’s President and co-founder, Anwar Khan, will attend this event along with government officials, business executives, nonprofit leaders, researchers, and community activists, to achieve the goal of ending hunger and reducing diet-related diseases in the US by 2030.  “It…

Islamic Relief USA-Supported Sewing Academy By Minhaj Hassan FALLS CHURCH, Va. – The Islamic Relief USA-supported Sewing Academy at Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center graduated its class of 12 women who enrolled in the academy’s spring semester.  The 17-week, 100-hour course started in February and concluded earlier this month. In addition to gaining useful and marketable skills in the creative design of fabrics, students said the classes helped them gain self-confidence and a sense of sisterhood, as they worked together and encouraged one another.  During the graduation ceremony on Tuesday, June 7, Aseel Elborno, IRUSA’s advocacy campaign specialist, praised the women for completing the course. “It’s so important we empower women to have these skills, wherever they go.”…

Laylatul Qadr and all it Brings By Yusuf Azmi Openings Ramadan brings incredible opportunities for us all to seek. Opportunities for spiritual growth, togetherness and seeking Allah’s (swt) blessings. As we grow closer to the end of this sacred month and enter the final 10 nights of Ramadan, the days become more and more important, none more so than the night of Laylatul Qadr. The night of power is the night that we truly seek, a night where all of Ramadan’s opportunities are open to us.  The night of revelation, when Allah (swt) revealed the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhamad (pbuh), is more than a night of historical symbolism to…

Why hunger won’t just go away It’s here With Ramadan quickly approaching, Muslims around the world will fast from sunrise to sunset each day for 30 consecutive days. It is an arduous task, especially as the days have become longer and the weather gets hotter.  It is a month where we further develop our spiritual enlightenment, exhibit greater empathy for our most vulnerable populations, and make sacrifices. Ramadan can serve as a monthlong reminder about how much we have…and how, unintentionally, we take food and water for granted.  That is why it’s important to keep the populations in mind for whom food is either insufficient, difficult to access, or have…

A dispatch for World Water Day By Nabeeha Shah Water makes the world go round World Water Day focuses on the importance of clean water for all. According to the United Nations, 2.2 billion people around the world are living without access to safe water. This year, the focus is on groundwater – water we use for drinking, sanitation, food production, and industrial processes. Some areas in the world rely entirely on groundwater for their livelihoods. Safe water allows a mother to feed her child. To quench their thirst. It could mean the difference between life and death.  To quench their thirst. It could mean the difference between life and…