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Responding to California Wildfires When It Matters Most
What the West Coast is facing In California, it’s been known for years that all it takes is a brief moment of wind to start a catastrophic wildfire. People who live in the state enjoy the welcoming weather and sweet aroma of the air, along with some of the most scenic landscapes in the country. But due to the fact that wildfires are a reality that looms over California, many remained prepared for the worst. For those who haven’t been fortunate enough to make arrangements in the case of a fire, their need for support is incalculable. When Beth and Albert found themselves among the hardest hit by wildfires in…
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What a Difference a Day of Dignity Makes
IRUSA Day of Dignity events connect with hearts and communities Ending the year off right The year isn’t complete at IRUSA with connecting with communities across the U.S. for the annual Day of Dignity events. It’s a project partners, communities, and staff look forward to being a part of. Emergency services, food parcels, and care packages are made available. Each year the efforts building deeper bonds and have deeper impacts. In places like Bronx New York, community members came from far and wide to get things such as health screenings and hygiene kits. “This is also an opportunity for the local Muslim community to demonstrate we can be service providers…
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On World Poverty Day, Let’s Do All We Can to Mitigate Suffering
At Islamic Relief USA, every waking hour is devoted to reducing poverty. That’s why it was unusual when I learned there was a particular day dedicated to this cause. According to the United Nations, October 17 is International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (also known as World Poverty Day). The UN first declared this day back in 1992. While much progress has been made in the standard of living for many people in many nations around the world, poverty, if not extreme poverty, unfortunately remain common. In the United States alone, there are some 38 million people living in impoverished conditions. To combat this, Islamic Relief USA conducts many…
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Smiles Galore as Mohammed Assaf visits IRUSA Projects
Written by Fareeha Amir, IRUSA Multimedia Manager who travelled with a group of staff with Mohammed Assaf to Jordan in August 2019. Edited by Kelly El-Yacoubi. Mohammed Assaf’s smile is contagious. So it’s no surprise that when he visited Islamic Relief USA projects in Jordan this past August, his positivity came right along with him. The Palestinian singer is most well-known for winning the second season of Arab Idol in 2013, the precursor to his immense popularity as a singer and celebrity figure in the Middle East. But Assaf’s influence extends beyond the microphone. As a child he grew up in a refugee camp in Gaza, an experience that has…
