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Islamic Relief in Asia – Our Commitment to Providing Relief to those in Need for Almost 30 Years
By Yusuf Azimi Since 1993, Islamic Relief has been working in Asia, committed to providing emergency relief and integrated programming to those in need. During this time, the region has experienced numerous floodings, landslides, droughts, earthquakes and recurrent disease outbreaks, as well as conflict and economic related disasters. Throughout that time, we’ve established a base in several countries throughout Asia, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, and Sri Lanka. Building teams on the ground capable of providing effective and efficient support rapidly, whenever a crisis arises. As we look towards our 30th year of working in Asia, we recognize that although considerable progress has been made, there are…
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The One Journey Festival: A Refugee Advocate’s Dream Event
By Aseel Elborno On June 25, 2022, Islamic Relief USA sponsored and participated in the One Journey Festival for their third annual celebration of refugees. The day was filled with music, dance, storytelling, food, arts & crafts, technology, and more. One Journey was founded in 2017 by Wendy Chan and Vanda Berninger, two American immigrants who wanted to share their positive, welcoming experiences as newcomers with others. Today, the One Journey Festival is an annual event that attracts greater visibility and larger crowds each year. The entire event is organized and run by volunteers and supported by NGOs, multicultural communities, faith communities, government and academia work. IRUSA advocates and volunteers…
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World Refugee Day is An Opportunity to Celebrate Inclusivity
World Refugee Day By Minhaj Hassan Lately, it seems hardly a day goes by where you don’t hear about refugees. Whether it’s the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, or other countries where instability has taken hold (Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Somalia, among others), forced displacement has become more common than anyone would like. It is a sad story whenever someone is forced to leave their homeland due to conditions or circumstances beyond their control. Islamic Relief USA has long helped refugee populations and has especially stepped up the past year. After people from Afghanistan managed to reach the United States following the end of a decades-long war last August, IRUSA’s volunteers helped assemble…
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Sri Lanka On the Brink of Catastrophe
Economic Disaster and Humanitarian Crisis By Yusuf Azmi Sri Lanka is in the middle of the worst economic crisis in its history. Skyrocketing inflation rates, depleted foreign exchange reserves, and surging food prices are amongst the numerous issues causing the country’s economic state to spiral. The government has been forced to default on its loan payments for the first time, and months of widespread protests against their policies, which were largely peaceful, have started to turn violent in recent weeks resulting in eight fatalities and over 200 people wounded. Since emerging from a grueling 26-year civil war, Sri Lanka experienced an exponential rate of growth, in large part due to…
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The Spiritual Significance of Dhu al-Hijjah
Dhu al-Hijjah By Yusuf Azmi What do the start of Hajj, the sacrifice of Qurbani/Udhiyah, the celebration of Eid al-Adha, and the best 10 days of the year all have in common? They all occur during the first 10 days of Dhu al-Hijjah. During the twelth and final month of the Hijri calendar, the first 10 days of Dhu al-Hijjah hold a special significance in the hearts of every Muslim. The importance of these days can be found in both Qur’an and Hadith. “By the dawn; by the ten nights” (al-Fajr 89:1-2) It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “There are no days during…
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Working Towards a Brighter Future This Children’s Day
Children’s Day By Rubina Ali Children’s Day takes place on the second Sunday of June, celebrated this year on June 12. While different countries celebrate Children’s Day on different days, they all share one common theme: to uphold the rights of children. These rights, defined by the United Nations, include the rights to protection, education, healthcare, shelter, and good nutrition. Today, one in five children live in a conflict or war zone. Studies show children living in conflict zones are at the highest risk of experiencing violence, psychological stress, hunger, loss of education, and lack basic resources. At Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), we don’t just support children and orphans in…
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Dar Al-Hijrah Holds Graduation Ceremony
Islamic Relief USA-Supported Sewing Academy By Minhaj Hassan FALLS CHURCH, Va. – The Islamic Relief USA-supported Sewing Academy at Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center graduated its class of 12 women who enrolled in the academy’s spring semester. The 17-week, 100-hour course started in February and concluded earlier this month. In addition to gaining useful and marketable skills in the creative design of fabrics, students said the classes helped them gain self-confidence and a sense of sisterhood, as they worked together and encouraged one another. During the graduation ceremony on Tuesday, June 7, Aseel Elborno, IRUSA’s advocacy campaign specialist, praised the women for completing the course. “It’s so important we empower women to have these skills, wherever they go.”…
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Mental Health May
Mental Health Awareness Month By Nabeeha Shah According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health conditions are increasing worldwide. Maintaining good mental health is essential to well-being. When you’re mentally healthy, you’re able to feel good about yourself, enjoy life and the people in it, and deal with stress Mental Health Awareness Month was launched to help fight the stigma around mental health and raise awareness. This year, the Mental Health of America is focusing on educating the public about the importance of mental health and providing support to those who may need it most. Good mental health is essential to well-being. Mental Health in Islam Sahl bin ‘Abdullah,…
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Islamic Relief USA Hosts City of Alexandria for First In-Person Iftar Since 2019
Islamic Relief USA hosted its 5th Annual City of Alexandria Interfaith Ramadan Iftar at its headquarters on Wheeler Avenue on April 19. The last in-person iftar was in 2019, as the Covid-19 pandemic prevented it from taking place the last two years. In addition to the city’s elected officials, other guests included members of the Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, the Fire Department, and local churches and faith groups “We’re back here. We are with our friends,” remarked Sharif Aly, chief executive officer of Islamic Relief USA. He talked about the importance we all have in making sure our brothers and sisters of all faith traditions don’t go hungry, citing a…
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Islamic Relief Celebrates Diversity and Inclusivity at US Capitol Iftar
Back In Person By Minhaj Hassan Islamic Relief USA held an in-person iftar on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, April 26, as Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, wound down to its final week. While staffers from several offices of Congress were treated to delectable finger foods and an opportunity to network with peers, the event inadvertently showed the progress made in getting more young people from minority populations to work in the Nation’s Capitol, which over the years hasn’t exactly served as a hallmark of diversity. Jihad Saleh Williams, IRUSA’s longtime Senior Government Relations Adviser, said from his own time in and around the Capitol, he has seen the number of…
