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Yemen in our Hearts: IRUSA President Anwar Khan’s 12-Day Diary
Too many times it can be easy to forget that during the current era in which we live, Yemen is suffering the worst humanitarian crisis the world has seen in decades. Continuous war has pushed adults and children in the country out of their homes and into the grips of famine and disease. I traveled to Yemen recently to see firsthand what families are going through. I also witnessed what Islamic Relief USA’s humanitarian aid contributes, through the help of ordinary people who are compassionate enough to donate toward this unthinkable situation. Below, I share with you my reflections from the 12 days I spent in Yemen in the summer…
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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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Families Brace for another Winter
Around the world, temperatures are dropping, leaving families already in need even more vulnerable. The Cold can Kill The human body normally maintains a temperature of around 98.6˚F or 37˚C. When the body can’t produce enough heat in an extremely cold environment hypothermia can happen, and has proven to be fatal. As hypothermia takes root, it slows down thinking, body movement, and the ability to react. For these reasons, many people unfortunately die because of how slow and unassuming hypothermia is. It is so subtle that people can pass in their sleep. Hypothermia is just one of the many reasons that IRUSA has committed to assisting vulnerable communities survive the…
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IRUSA is Giving Tuesday to Yemen Again
Here are great ways you can help make this a winning effort What is Giving Tuesday? We use our phones to do nearly everything these days. One of the most revolutionary things we’ve been able to do is donate to causes we believe in, and the ones that will impact people. Worldwide, online donors have given over $400 billion dollars worth of contributions to causes of their choice in the last 2 years alone. Giving Tuesday is a global day of online giving that follows the holiday season. It’s a powerful day for us to use our phones and any device we can find to show support for our brothers…
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What Flat Tires Can Teach Us About Being One Community
"Though the cir
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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…
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3 Easy Ways to do Facebook Birthdays Right
Before we begin, we must say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! We pray Allah grants you many more spins around the sun. Birthdays are special because they remind us of how precious the time we get on earth is. What better way to celebrate that than giving from your heart and blessings?! Facebook Birthdays are gaining traction with more and more people giving their family and friends the opportunity to give to humanitarian causes. So, here are some ways to make your Facebook birthday campaign successful. Facebook has helped us make it easy to do. Ok, here we go! 1. Who, What, Where….. Your description means everything. A pro tip is to make…
