by Zana Sahyouni Europe is often thought of as a continent of wealth and prosperity, but the reality is that poverty is a significant problem in many European countries.  One in five Europeans experience at least one form of poverty, and research shows Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, and North Macedonia – four of the five European countries Islamic Relief works in – are among the poorest nations. One in four say they are in a precarious situation, and that one unexpected expense could push them into poverty. Winter’s plummeting temperatures only exacerbate the situation, making the struggle for survival more difficult.  The Perception of Poverty Poverty is often viewed as a…

by Zana Sahyouni For Islamic Relief USA, Martin Luther King Jr Day is a Day of Service – to mark the birthday of the activist and civil rights leader, we focus on engaging staff and volunteers to do service work. This “day on, not day off,” gives us an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing fight for racial equality and social justice, while also taking action to make a positive impact in our communities. This year, are commemorating the whole weekend with six major service events: at Masjid Hamza in Houston, TX,  we will package 1,000 food kits; at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA, 440 student volunteers and 70…