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A Fatal Bronx Fire
Communities, led by West African families, mount responses and mourn A fire unseen for over 30 years It had been over three decades since a Bronx nightclub was set on fire claiming the lives of 87 people. The culprit spent his last days of a life sentence in 2016 behind bars. Early this January, countless families experience the horror of losing loved ones as a fire consumed the Twin Parks NW apartment building in the Bronx. Built as low-income housing in 1974, the building was home to ranging ethnicities. It most prominently featured West Africans who championed a tight-knit community. A Sunday morning of horror All residents of the complex…
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Afghanistan Disaster, from The Ground
IRUSA President Anwar Khan returns from Afghanistan In 2021, the rapid shift of power in Afghanistan left a vacuum for chaos among many communities still in recovery from a decades long war occurring right outside their front doors. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) filled airport landing strips and even went as far as hanging from airplanes scheduled to exit the country. The U.S. has welcomed over 70,000 refugees since. IRUSA has mobilized volunteers and family services resources to assist those experiencing losing home and homeland in such a rapid manner. Islamic Relief USA was one of the first humanitarian organizations to mobilize cultural competent resources for Afghans arriving as well as…
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Yemen in the Crosshairs
Airstrikes blanket communities and leave fatalities By Syrah Rahman The civil war that continues to devastate the people of Yemen has once more hit the headlines. Air raids in the cities of Hodaida and Sa’ada have killed over 70 people and left hundreds more wounded. This attack, the deadliest in the region in over two years, has left aid agencies horrified at the disregard for civilian lives and infrastructure in a crisis that has been dubbed the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. An escalation in the crisis A recent escalation in the conflict that has been going on for more than six years resulted in the strike on January 21. Amongst…
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MLK Now
Four passages that power IRUSA for a day “On” In cities across America, IRUSA Blueshirts have joined hands with neighbors, advocates, community servants, and partners who hold the timeless legacy of civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a part of the lifeblood of their mission. His commitment to championing the forgotten, honoring the oppressed is a reminder to those in power, that they spend every day entrusted to help others become self-determined. As the people we serve gather resources, food parcels, and many other essential items, we are reminded that Dr. King was constantly pushing every one of us to connect to a higher ideal, a higher…
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Two apps coming your way from IRUSA
From sadaqah jariyah to prayer times, these apps have it all for you. When used effectively, technology can help Muslims become closer to Allah. While waiting on the train or at the doctor, an Islamic app can come in handy. While you wait, you could be logging hundreds of good deeds in your book instead of staring at the ceiling! Ready, set, sadaqah We have finally completed our work with Vianova for an app dedicated to Sadaqah and Sadaqah Jariyah. This app will open a portal to sustainable, long-term giving and charitable investments as well as spiritual reminders and more. Friends with Android phones can download this version, and Apple…
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5th Annual Partnership Gala Shines Bright
Islamic Relief USA Celebrates Strong Relationships with Fellow Agencies at Annual Partnership Tribute Food insecurity at the forefront Islamic Relief USA’s work in reducing food insecurity, providing aid in the wake of natural disasters, and helping resettle refugees were among the accomplishments made possible by strong partnerships with fellow nonprofit organizations and government agencies, all of which were highlighted in the organization’s virtual 5th Annual Partnership Tribute on Wednesday, Dec 8. In the past year, these pacts have helped address hunger in Ethiopia, fires that broke out in Turkey, and the manifold humanitarian crisis following the pullout of U.S. troops and change in government in Afghanistan. The suffering of the…
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Aiding Kentucky after Tornado Outbreak
Disaster Management teams rally to assess and aid survivors The evening of December 11, 2021 held an eerie stillness to it across Kentucky. For nearly 2 days consecutively, an outbreak of tornadoes cleared blocks, crashed against homes, and put communities under arrest. A total of over 65 tornadoes touched down. With over $18 billion dollars in damages, residents have to now face the stark reality that rebuilding will be a cumbersome process. They also have to deal with the emotional toll of losing loved ones and neighbors. The punishing tornadoes claimed the lives of over 90 people. IRUSA is among several humanitarian agencies to deploy to the ground level…
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Turkeys for All
Some 82,000 people will be served this season via IRUSA’s turkey distributions One of Islamic Relief USA’s most popular seasonal programs took place just days before Thanksgiving. The 2021 U.S. Turkey Distribution strives to provide turkeys to families and households experiencing food insecurity or other difficulties. During a time of rising food costs, these turkeys can make all the difference between a festive meal or just getting by. The estimated price for a turkey this year across the country is a whopping $28! Partners across America worked with IRUSA to place turkeys in the hands of as many people we serve as possible. As is IRUSA’s custom, all of the 16,000-plus turkeys are halal,…
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We’re #GivingTuesday to Refugees.
This #GivingTuesday we want refugees to have a safe winter Many of us saw the tears roll down the faces of Ethiopian mothers, sisters, aunts, and daughters while they exited their homes to escape certain persecution. The droves of people that left on foot with whatever they could grab deserve a fighting chance to survive and rebuild. Over 1.5 million Ethiopians We also saw in Afghanistan, a regime change so concerning to thousands of communities that men were willing to stand in front of planes that were evacuating refugees. For those who are still displaced within Afghanistan, they now face a winter notorious for its brutality. We think of these…
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Oct. 23 Proclaimed ‘Islamic Relief USA Day’ by Harris County Commissioner
Proclamation made during the Grand Opening ceremony of IRUSA’s Houston facility and Day of Dignity event. The City of Houston has a lot going for it. A vibrant downtown, great diversity (Muslims will feel very welcome with its numerous halal restaurants and mosques), and relatively low gas prices (just $2.89 per gallon of regular unleaded at one Mobil station not too far from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport). Now, the city has something else to celebrate; a new Islamic Relief USA building. The nonprofit humanitarian and advocacy organization held a grand opening ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 23, for its new volunteer dormitory on Lee Road in North Houston. The facility…
