#Service
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A Warm Hello from IRUSA’s New Chairman, Hamadi Bengabsia
IRUSA’s new Chairman shares a message of gratitude and belief in the next generation of humanitarian relief Assalaam Alaykum, On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am writing to thank every one of our supporters who have helped work towards Islamic Relief USA’s tremendous progress in recent years. Without your tenacity, innovation, and commitment to excellence, our organization would not have experienced such significant growth and emerged as a faith-based leader in the humanitarian and development sector. That growth has meant life-changing service a possibility for people all over the world. Your compassion arrived in the darkest hour for more families than we can measure. I want to further…
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4 Life Lessons from IRUSA’s Peru Challenge
We reflect on a life-changing expedition for a life-changing cause 1 “The goal is not simply for you to cross the finish line, but to see how many people you can inspire to run with you.” ― Simon Sinek If we told you we could bring strangers half-way around the world to climb endlessly and walk on the edge of cliffs all while depending on each other just so we could support life-saving water projects, would you believe us? In the beginning there were doubts about what, when, and how it would even happen but the Peru challenge did what all IRUSA challenges have been successful at doing, it brought people together…
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First-Ever IRUSA Meal Pack Out IN Harrisburg, PA, Shows Power of Love
IRUSA, Rise Against Hunger, Islamic Society of Greater Harrisburg, and volunteers come together to serve those in need Coming Together Aligning with five of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations has empowered IRUSA to be able to focus intensely on areas of concern for vulnerable communities. One of those goals is to end hunger. Though ending hunger in the world is an effort many in humanitarian spaces see as a challenging effort, requiring belief and commitment, it is a priority that we have put our collective hearts into. On November 9th, almost 100 hearts from Rise Above Hunger, Islamic Society of Greater Harrisburg, and other members of the…
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What Flat Tires Can Teach Us About Being One Community
"Though the cir
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6 Ayahs on Allah’s Promises for Good Deeds
Everything we did in preparation to receive and spread love this Eid didn’t come easy. But we buckled down, dug deep in our hearts, and within our pockets, to make sure that people we love can enjoy themselves. There were also people you knew you’d never have the pleasure of meeting face-to-face that you sent you fresh Qurbani meat to. And even if it wasn’t money that you contributed, the time spent caring for those closest to you was truly an investment in the bounty of Allah. We’ve collected six ayahs to remind ourselves and you of the promises of Allah for those who do good for his sake. Surah…
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Where Your Ramadan Food Boxes Reached in 2019
A Truly Blessed Ramadan Words fail to fully describe how abundant the blessings were during this past 2019 Ramadan. We spent lengthy days and even longer nights where we sought and shared mercy. There’s something we should never forget about this bountiful month: from the moment it begins, millions of people unfortunately still face the same challenging trials they face year-round. Hunger doesn’t stop during Ramadan; poverty doesn’t press pause either. Hunger doesn’t stop during Ramadan; poverty doesn’t press pause either. IRUSA was fortunate to receive donations from so many donors like you who remembered this reality, and acted on it as part of your month-long spiritual reflection. You remembered…
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100 Kilometers through the Desert
I thought the desert was just sand dunes, but fast realized that it was rocky, mountainous, flat, hilly, vast, and much more. Our trek was challenging, no doubt. We covered a lot of ground within a short amount of time and camped along the way. We lived in the desert for four days, away from the comfort of our daily lives. And, surprisingly, being detached from the world made me more physically, spiritually, and emotionally connected. I journeyed physically through the desert understanding the capacity of my own body and pushing myself to my limits. I journeyed emotionally understanding my own self, my limitations, my presence, my weaknesses, and my…
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Donor Report: A Poem
Disclaimer: The following poem was submitted by a guest contributor. Guest blog posts do not necessarily reflect endorsed viewpoints from Islamic Relief USA. Donor Report Feel for these families Fill up these pantries Put your heart in your hand and the money will land with ease Donations for what every woman and man needs There's a humanity that these tight demands squeeze Time is sinking, catch the opportunity before the land leaves Oh traveler, who couldn't even afford a shawl We've tossed Js on tree branches while from off your bare feet you had to crawl This is a letter of apology that I'm going to attempt to scrawl What…
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On MLK Day, Volunteers Organized Books to Help Pupils At Risk
A Day on, Not a Day Off It was an excruciatingly chilly Monday morning on January 21, a day that served as a foreshadowing of the polar blast that would engulf many parts of the nation the following week. Many people had the day off, so they didn’t have to brave through the brutal conditions. For those who did make sure to reach their destinations to volunteer, though, it proved to be a worthwhile experience. Yes, it was a frigid day. But it also was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The warm hearts and altruism of so many people helped them overcome the below freezing wind chills and gusts. At Islamic…
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World Food Day Spotlight: Towards food security in Minnesota
Today is World Food Day, an annual celebration around the world on every October 16 (in honor of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945). On this day, Islamic Relief joins many other humanitarian organizations that are concerned about food security worldwide. In recognition of World Food Day, we’re featuring a spotlight on a case study of one of the domestic food security programs we support in Minnesota. Off in the distance an African American woman walks across the empty parking lot of Masjid an-Nur, past the tan fence line and community mural. She flashes a welcoming but quick smile and hurries through…
