-
Eid an Exhale for Many
A blessed time of celebration in COVID-19 year 2 Still a new normal Millions around the world fasting and worshipping during the second Ramadan we’ve experienced as a global community yearned to return to some sense of normalcy. In 2020 our Ramadan was housed in our homes, isolated, introspective, and far from the usual folksy vibe that the month belonging to Allah provides. We virtually met, prayed, and remembered Allah. The way we administered charity dramatically changed as well. Our infamously fulfilling Ramadan Pack-outs were now at distance,heavily disinfected, and dealt an emotional blow. The high-fives of a station being done with their box count was no more. The cherished…
-
Ramadan Food Pack-Outs a Massive Success
Co-written by Christina Tobias-Nahi IRUSA’s volunteer-driven food pack outs return in full force across the nation It was back! A warehouse in Springfield, Virginia was teeming with excitement, dedication, and a sense of mission. Volunteers, of all ages and sizes, were decked out in royal blue Islamic Relief USA T-shirts, ready to — as we say here– make a difference in the world. The event, basically an annual ritual, did not take place last year, due to the then-novel coronavirus pandemic. While the pandemic is still upon us, requiring all to be masked and socially distanced, the precautions are sufficient to safely put on the event. Several long tables were…
-
Ramadan Congrats from Congress
Islamic Relief USA Thanks Members of Congress, and Vice Versa, During Ramadan Ceremony An evening of empowerment Islamic Relief USA held its 10th annual Capitol Hill Ramadan Welcoming ceremony Monday evening, April 12. Brother Anwar Khan, president of the organization, wished the participants Ramadan Mubarak. The holy month of fasting officially started for many Muslims on April 13. Khan said the month is about so much more than abstaining from water and food. “We will be fasting from some of the habits that are not the best habits,” he said. Muslims are encouraged to be nicer, donate more to help people in need, and feed those who have little access…
-
Safe Landing in Ramadan
Simple steps to make this Ramadan count When Ramadan greeted us last year, the world was in a panic. Everything we knew to be normal was turned on its head. People lost loved ones. They lost livelihoods. Our overall balance was lost. At that time no cure was in sight and it seemed as if COVID-19 would never slow its steamroll through communities. We made the best of Ramadan 2020. Some have said that the seclusion sometimes brought a different source of peace. Now we enter Ramadan 2021 can be a triumphant despite our trials. Here’s how to have a safe landing in the greatest month we know. 1. Qur’an…
-
Manal has Her Eye on Her Dream
A snapshot into a dynamic opportunity women’s empowerment projects provide Original post at ANERA Manal is a passionate wedding photographer from the city of Nablus, in Palestine’s West Bank. She thinks of her profession as a way to bring joy to her clients and their families. “If people are interested, I won’t decline an offer!” At 50, Manal has been honing her craft for the last 25 years. She first discovered a love for photography through her husband, and swiftly mastered the basics. She soon felt in complete harmony with the camera. After her husband died, she picked it up as a profession. In addition to weddings, she began filming other ceremonies…
-
Muslim Women’s Day 2021
Muslim women blaze trails and make their mark on the world Today, IRUSA would like to express our utmost gratitude and appreciation to Muslim women around the world and right here at home. The contributions to our communities, support to those facing trials, and humanitarian spirit they embody is immeasurable. We are safe in saying that the future is in overly capable hands with the game-changing Muslim women we have leading the charge on multiple fronts. Today we would like to highlight 4 Muslim women who are making their mark on the world. Dr. Kameelah Mu’min Rashad Dr. Kameelah Mu’min Rashad is the Founder and President of Muslim Wellness Foundation…
-
U.N. Women’s Conference features IR Reps
Bringing perspective to sustainable development By Christina Tobias-Nahi, May Hashem, Minhaj Hassan Making a Difference Women making extraordinary differences is a common outcome in many programs that Islamic Relief administers around the world and likes to showcase. The Islamic Relief journey with Gender Equality was institutionalized through the Gender Justice policy developed back in 2014, and was presented at a series of global stakeholder roundtables across many continents. A larger campaign roll out was planned for 2020 but events were postponed due to COVID-19. Meanwhile Islamic Relief has conducted a gender review, mapping their gender empowerment and gender protection (including gender based violence, early marriage etc.) related programs over the…
-
Unity in the Ummah
Shifting our perspective to see the beauty in all Volunteer Blog by Mustafa H. Reminiscing about the Golden Era “Arab has no merit over non-Arab other than Godfearingness.” These are the blessed words of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Prophet (PBUH) made history in Arabia by doing away with the old polarizing and divisive tribal system. He made massive strides uniting the Arab people and insisted on unity rather than division. One of my personal favorite stories of the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the story of how the blackstone was placed onto the Kaaba. Every Muslim understands the significance of the black stone and the Kaaba. It is…
-
Banking on Food Security
Islamic Relief USA, Food Bank of Delaware Remain Committed to Reducing Food Insecurity During Pandemic By: Syed Hassan Powerful Partnerships Our friends at the Food Bank of Delaware have been very busy lately. Unfortunately, that’s largely due to the suffering so many people are experiencing, as the coronavirus pandemic (which this month marks one year) has caused food insecurity to rise dramatically. In normal times, it was a struggle enough to get food for many poor and working-class residents. Some of them reside in food deserts, lacking full-fledged grocery stores. Whatever stores that do exist are likely convenience marts with processed or ready-to-eat foods that are hardly nutritious. The solution…
-
Burned Out With Nowhere To Go
Already Combatting COVID, Fires Are Displacing Refugees Across The Globe Originally published 3/5/21 on G20 Interfaith Forum IRUSA Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Christina Tobias-Nahi In October, I risked flying during the pandemic to see my father who lives alone in the Rockies. Not only was I checking on his mental well-being after 8 months of being quarantined, but suddenly there was a new danger on the horizon – smoke-clogged skies triggering respiratory issues for older people and a fire encroaching within mere miles of his home. Where would he go, especially with COVID raging? Fortunately for him, early precipitation and winter snows finally brought relief before he had…
