What We Do

For a quarter of a century, Islamic Relief has worked tirelessly in countries around the world to alleviate poverty, suffering, hunger, and illiteracy.

Paying no heed to color, race or creed, Islamic Relief provides aid in a compassionate and dignified manner based solely on the needs of the beneficiaries.

Islamic Relief collaborates and cooperates with local organizations in order to best cater to our beneficiaries and to maintain cultural sensitivity to customs and traditions of the regions we serve.

Millennium Development Goals

At the turn of the 21st century, the United Nations launched a mission meant to improve the lives of millions of people living in the world’s poorest countries.

Officially dubbed the “Millennium Development Goals,” the United Nations planned to achieve these eight objectives by the year 2015:
• Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• Achieve universal primary education
• Promote gender equality and empower women
• Reduce child mortality
• Improve maternal health
• Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
• Ensure environmental Sustainability
• Global partnership for development

Islamic Relief supports the MDGs, and many of our projects around the world are contributing toward this global humanitarian project.

Development Projects

Islamic Relief views its relief efforts as the beginning of a responsible relationship meant to deliver beneficiaries from their suffering.

Giving people the confidence to participate in their own development and to secure their future without the need for continuing external assistance is the ultimate objective of Islamic Relief.

Therefore, Islamic Relief finds it essential to complement relief work with development projects such as:
• Water and Sanitation
• Health and Nutrition
• Emergency Relief and Disaster Preparedness
• Education
• Income Generation
• Orphan Support Program

Emergency Relief Projects

When a disaster strikes, Islamic Relief has proven itself to be one of the most responsible and rapid responders.

From earthquakes to tsunamis, from food shortages to droughts, Islamic Relief’s efficient and dependable emergency relief projects distinguish them amongst other aid organizations as the chief emergency relief expert.

Islamic Relief’s disaster relief efforts have been praised by world leaders and have become recognized in the field amongst international organizations such as the United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP) and the Department for International Development.

Orphans Projects
Islamic Relief supports over 27,000 orphans in more than 20 countries worldwide.

Sponsorships ensure that orphans complete their educations and have enough money for food, healthcare and household necessities.

In addition to one-to-one sponsorship, Islamic Relief supports orphans through housing projects, summer school and vocational training.

Seasonal Projects
Islamic Relief’s seasonal projects not only help fulfill religious obligations of donors, but also support many beneficiaries, who would find it hard to celebrate without such services.

Ramadan

Muslims uphold the religious obligation of fasting from dawn to dusk during Ramadan, which helps remind them of the millions who remain hungry year-round.

Charity is greatly encouraged during this holy month, and with the support of its donors, Islamic Relief is able to carry out special food distributions in some of the poorest regions of the world.

Udhiyah/Qurbani

An Islamic religious practice performed at the time of Eid al-Adha (the 10th day of the Islamic month of Dhul al-Hijjah), Udhiyah/Qurbani usually entails the distribution of meat amongst the poor.

Islamic Relief performs Udhiyah/Qurbani on behalf of its donors, and distributes the meat to beneficiaries worldwide.

Maintaining sensitivity to local customs and traditions, Islamic Relief also distributes vegetarian packs to non-meat eaters.

Domestic Projects

Whether it is homeless people living on the streets, or struggling families who cannot afford basic healthcare, Islamic Relief sees it as its duty to aid the less fortunate in our society.

Every Ramadan, Islamic Relief provides food, clothing, medical care, and social services to people living in the most poverty-stricken areas in the United States.

Currently known as the ‘Day of Dignity’ and formerly known as ‘Humanitarian Day,’ this project is now in its eighth year and has benefitted thousands of Americans.

Some of Islamic Relief's other domestic projects include the continuing support of the UMMA Community Clinic, toy drives for disadvantaged children, community support programs, and much more.

Another one of Islamic Relief’s domestic projects which has grown in recent years is its financial assistance program for families in need— the Zakah program.

Working with mosques and community organizations, Islamic Relief provides emergency financial assistance to families in need.

To read "What They Say About Islamic Relief," please click here.

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