#Community
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Caring for Climate Change
What it means to take action as the earth undergoes severe trials. Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness]. (30:41) While everyone around the world has seen or felt the effects of climate change, the most vulnerable are people living in the world’s poorest countries. The majority of people living in Africa or Asia for example, depend on agricultural and natural resources in order to survive. By relying on farming or hunting and gathering to eat and…
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Until We All Win
Thousands of hot meals in partnership with Nike “We underestimate that when a hot meal comes it’s so much easier for families to come together than have them worry about how to make a meal. It’s something that I thought was impactful,” said Ahmed Aduib, IRUSA Midwest Regional Manager. We have been working with Nike to deliver hot meals in the Chicago area. Islamic Relief USA is among 20 nonprofit organizations across North America to receive a Nike Until We All Win Grant that will help our communities to navigate the difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic. This funding will help us distribute more than 2000 hot meals, via a pre-approved…
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Sustained Solidarity: Why We can’t Let this Moment Fade
Racism is consistent. Our communities have to be consistent in fighting it. What We know If you are Black in America, fatigue is a luxury. Rest of mind, body, and soul can’t be weighed in gold. Leisure time is to be savored, vacations guarded. The long held tradition of subjugating Black people by lethal and legal force makes all of the above priceless. When Sandra Bland was taken, there was no time for fatigue. When Breonna Taylor was taken, it was still no time for fatigue. Though many media outlets have since move on from the Murder of George Floyd and the resulting uprisings, the compassion and support needed to…
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Your Vote, Your Voice
IRUSA gears up for a game-changing get out the vote campaign. Let nobody tell you otherwise; your voice matters, particularly on Election Day. With several elections scheduled Nov. 3, including one for the presidency, it is essential we practice our right to vote. It is a right we can’t take for granted. As several recent elections have shown, every vote is precious and plays an integral role in determining policy. Elections have consequences as they signal our priorities, our values, and our convictions. To help generate interest and, more importantly, action, Islamic Relief USA, a nonprofit 501(c)3 humanitarian and advocacy organization, has launched a Get Out the Vote campaign on…
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More Ways to Sacrifice this Season
Easy methods to serve for the blessed second Eid COVID-19 has slowed down a significant portion of our normal lives. Many say this will be our new way of living. That reality can be daunting. With Eid Al-Adha around corner, an added level of stress can fall on all of us when try to think about what we can do with our time. For a large amount of people, both Eids are busy times, with days that can seem endless. If you were looking for ways to still gain some barakah in your time and at a distance look no further. 1) Get Your Qurbani In If you give your…
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For this Eid, Gratitude Means Everything
A reflection on the bounties Eid Al-Adha reminds us of. The Lead up to Qurbani Dhul-Hijjah is upon us, a truly special time of the year where Muslims from all around the world can ask forgiveness from Allah for any potential shortcomings they may have had. Fasting is also sunnah during the first 9 days of Dhul-Hijjah. Bringing with it the equivalent reward to that of staying up during Laylatul Qadr, it’s really that powerful. “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days.” (Bukhari) The Big Day As the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah draw to a close, and we complete our…
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We can’t Afford to Look away
COVID-19 is still an active threat and everyone needs to pay attention Open Doors If you were an essential worker, more than likely you understand what it was like to walk out of your home unaware of COVID-19 would affect you or the people you loved a few months ago. But our essential workers were left with no choice. Heads of households who didn’t have the privilege of remote work had no choice but to continue while taking precautions and hoping for the best. Today many states are beginning a slow multi-phased return to normal public operations. This return should be celebrated because it means people who’ve lost the ability…
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POST-RAMADAN GOALS
The celebrations have come to an end, our special clothes tucked away and we’re starting to get used to eating during the day again. However, as Ramadan, and Eid-ul-Fitr depart for another year, we’re faced with a new challenge. How can we take what we’ve learnt during such a blessed month, and sustain it so that our lives as Muslims can improve throughout the year? It’s crucial for your faith to achieve sustained growth that you take all the lessons you’ve learnt during Ramadan and look to build on them. So whether you had been reading the Quran everyday, or learning new surahs, making extra prayers, doing addition dhikr or…
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A Grand Iftar We’ll Never Forget
Communities gather virtually to contribute to IRUSA’s emergency aid Islamic Relief USA held its first-ever “virtual” Grand Iftar on April 26. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the large in-person gathering was unable to take place at a hotel in the D.C.-area as it normally would. While the format was different, the program nonetheless provided viewers/guests an evening of enlightenment, reflection, and several opportunities to support various organization programs around the world. Projects in countries where Islamic Relief has a rather large footprint were highlighted, including Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, and Yemen. Anwar Khan, president and cofounder of IRUSA, talked about the need to support immediate and long-term programs in Pakistan, particularly Balochistan and Rawalpindi,…
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Community Support
As Ramadan begins to draw to a close, we’re reminded of the current situation that has affected all of us. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating impact all over the world, as well as in our communities. At Islamic Relief USA, we recognise the importance of supporting our communities through this challenging period so that Insha’Allah, we bounce back from this with as little repercussions as possible. It is only by sticking together that we will be able to do so, that’s why we’ve come up with some ways that you can help your community during this time. Be mindful This one is pretty obvious, but we figure…
