#Service
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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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On World Refugee Day: Let’s make our Actions Count!
This World Refugee Day we see where we can make a difference. A Year of Challenges The year 2020 has been full of unexpected adventures- to say so mildly. Not only did it carry a ‘series of unfortunate events’, to borrow the title of the series on Netflix, but it has amounted to issues of such magnitude that would make any “Hitchcock” movie seem like a light comedy. An unseen virus has brought the whole world to a standstill; demonstrations have followed the shocking news of the murder of George Floyd and conflicts around the world have become more vicious with a dramatic increase in the number of people fleeing…
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A Green Ramadan begins with Water
See how water conservation will help us all in the future Water is the most valuable resource on earth. All living beings on earth need water to survive. Many people and industries continue wasteful habits, endangering the entire world. This Ramadan let us reflect about water and its importance. You have been fasting all day long, and just can’t wait for sunset so that you can drink and eat again. But what about those who do not have access to clean water? Let this Ramadan be a way of educating yourself and others about water 1) Water and the Quran: Water has been mentioned in the Quran on several occasions.…
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A Global Crisis Means A Global Response
IRUSA ramps up support to communities devastated by COVID-19 Millions of dollars’ worth of emergency assistance to more than 20 at-risk countries has been released by Islamic Relief (of which Islamic Relief USA is a part of) in a bid to stem the spread of the deadly Coronavirus, help those infected and support vulnerable communities that have been the hardest hit. I Thousands of hygiene kits containing essentials like hand sanitizer, surgical masks and thermometers have already been delivered to high-risk communities in places like Syria and Afghanistan where vital health infrastructure has crumbled due to conflict. In the coming week, more critical assistance such as ventilators, lab kits and…
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Why We can’t Forget Yemen
A look at where the world’s most devastating humanitarian crisis stands today. “We are needy people and this basket helps us to get the basic food and this is the situation of many needy families in the area..when I received the basket from Islamic Relief, the happiness spread among the family members and my children feel very happy…it is not a problem for us to sleep hungry or to eat bread all times but it is a problem for the children.” Hallah Ali Mohammed, Ibb province Still facing hardship It has been five years since the conflict in Yemen, one of the Arab World’s poorest countries, escalated in 2015. Up…
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They’ll Need Ramadan Food Boxes more than Ever
Because of the current public health crisis families will squeezed even more by food shortages It’s so near it’s basically here Ramadan is coming, can you feel it? The anticipation is growing as we contemplate the arrival of the most special month in the Islamic calendar. Everyone has their own special Ramadan traditions, whether it’s your mum’s cooking, or getting the chance to go to the mosque every evening with your dad for tarawih, or just spending iftar with your family and friends. There are some things we all share in common though, the chance to expand our knowledge, to improve our spiritual wealth and to deeply connect with Allah. …
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Revisiting the Syrian Refugee Crisis: Hopes and Frustrations with Marwa Aly
A journal entry from Trinity College Muslim Chaplain Marwa Aly during her time in Jordan with Syrian refugees IRUSA invited a group of dynamic women community leaders on a visit to Islamic Relief USA’s Projects in Jordan serving Syrian refugees. It expose them, and educate them first hand about IRUSA’s women’s empowerment projects in Jordan, as well as the refugee projects. It was an opportunity to not only meet the staff and volunteers who make the delivery of humanitarian aid possible, but to come face-to-face with the very people we serve. How Perspectives can Change Today was both an uplifting and perspective-shifting day as we traveled to both Ramtha and…
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A World Water Day, in a Challenging Time.
As the world pushes to wash hands, IRUSA reminds us of the privilege of water to do it with. A Growing Concern World Water Day this year has come during a time of extreme change for everyone: the outbreak of Coronavirus COVID-19. Internet sites are showing no shortage of advice regarding proper hand-washing and sanitation techniques, and we are very thankful for all of it. Meanwhile, thousands of people are stocking up on bottled water in fear the pandemic could lead to an interruption of water supply. And grocery shops are resorting to extreme measures to face the panic buying urge of scared shoppers. A Daily Reality While advice on…
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DRT Returns to Continue Houston Recovery
IRUSA Disaster Response Team to Hold Home-Rebuilding Sessions in Hurricane Harvey-Ravaged Houston, Texas Islamic Relief USA’s (IRUSA) Disaster Response Team (DRT) will hold two week-long sessions of its popular, ongoing home rebuilding project in Houston, Texas, repairing houses that were damaged by Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Volunteers will lodge at the new dormitory, made possible by a grant from the American Red Cross, among other resources. The dorm will house dozens of people, helping create a spirit of teamwork, camaraderie, and mission. The first week-long session is scheduled for Feb. 23-29. The next opportunity to volunteer is during the week of March 15-21. Slots are still available. “We are truly…
