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Jolie, Kerry Shine Spotlight on Humanity on World Refugee Day
Secretary of State John Kerry and movie star and humanitarian Angelina Jolie visit a Virginia mosque on World Refugee Day. When Linda immigrated to the United States from Kosovo as a refugee in the 1990s, her family was treated almost like celebrities. People were excited to meet them. Neighbors brought them gifts. If she managed to gain entrance today, she would have had a very different reception — likely one full of fear and hate. Actress Angelina Jolie and Secretary of State John Kerry welcomed 50 Syrian refugees at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) in Virginia Monday to recognize World Refugee Day. They sought to bring attention to…
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Remembering Refugees: A Voice from Syria
Last year, 845,000 refugees made a treacherous journey across the Mediterranean Sea in hopes of reaching Europe. Over 3,500 men, women and children died. On World Refugee Day, we remember their losses, we commemorate their strength, and we do what is in our power to help. On the halfway mark of the blessed month of Ramadan, you can give charity to help refugees who were forced to flee their homes. Ali’s Story They say, ‘Why do Syrians leave their country and migrate?’ But we had no choice but to leave. In Syria, there was no electricity, no water, no food. We were living a difficult life, worse than you can even imagine. We were on a boat heading…
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My People of Syria — I’ll Keep Sharing Your Stories
For five years I have watched my people lose their homes and lives to war. For five years I have watched as they scattered around the world in search for safety. From country to country, refugee camp to refugee camp, year after year. For five years, in six different countries and in dozens of camps, I have witnessed first-hand the effects of war and conflict on the people from the same nation my mother, grandmother and her mother were born in—Syria. I’ve seen my fellow Syrians in Lebanon, living in makeshift homes wherever they could find, a masjid construction site, a building boiler room and a leather factory near the…
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When Smugglers Abandon Refugee Boats At Sea
Abdullah Shawky is an Islamic Relief USA Disaster Response Team Member. This is part of the emergency story series from Greece. Salam All, I wanted to share with you all a story of a terrible tragedy that occurred the day before yesterday. Due to Internet connectivity issues, I am only able to send this message today. Today was the most difficult for all of us in the harbor. At around 1pm, we received the first batch of survivors from a terrible accident. Some were injured with cuts and bruises, but others suffered far worse… A makeshift wooden boat (we are now seeing more and more of these show up) was…
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With Love, From Lesbos, Greece: A Video Postcard Addressed To You
Nada Shawish is Communications Specialist at Islamic Relief USA. Have you ever wanted to go to the Greek Islands? A postcard has arrived from Greece, and it’s addressed to you from Islamic Relief USA’s CEO Anwar Khan. He’s virtually inviting you there. Watch with an open mind and heart—And see for yourself .. The Greek Islands are a place that people often go to for vacation—this is what they’re like right now: Instead of floating leisurely on calm waters, imagine traveling in dinghies and rafts unsuitable for sea travel, like this one, to try to get across the Mediterranean Sea. These people aren’t site seeing on the beach. Humanitarians have…
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A Dua and 4 Realistic Ways to Help Syrian Refugees Now (and it’s not just about your money)
Nada Shawish is Communications Specialist at Islamic Relief USA. “People are dying and they need our help. If we cannot see that, then we have no right to look away from the consequences of inaction.” –The Independent, September 3, 2015 The world is currently in the worst refugee crisis since World War II, and most of the refugees are Syrians. More than half of them are under the age of 18. There’s a lot of work to do to remedy this massive tragedy. While leaders bicker about how they’re going to reverse a crisis that started under their noses, there’s a lot we as individuals can do to help…
