A Caring World

Volunteers from all walks of life gathered in 18 cities last Ramadan to make sure one thing: the only people around with empty stomachs were the Muslims observing the Ramadan fast.

In conjunction with Islam's holy month, every year Islamic Relief USA sets out to provide food, medical care, hygiene kits and other necessities to homeless and impoverished people as part of a nationally coordinated effort called the "Day of Dignity."

More than 20,000 people benefited, but none of this would have been possible without the support of hundreds of volunteers.

"These people treated me with dignity, and that is all I can ask for," Sandra Carpenter, 61, who has been sleeping on a mat in a Seattle shelter, told the Seattle Times after receiving medical care and picking out new socks, gloves and a beanie.

"I may be down on my luck, but I am still a human being. It's sort of nice to be treated like one."

Domestic Projects

Islamic Relief sees it as its duty to aid those less fortunate in society, no matter their race, gender or creed.  For the underserved communities here in the United States, Islamic Relief USA has been spearheading a wide array of projects to help meet their needs.

From financial assistance for underprivileged families,  to community grants for nonprofit organizations, and toy drives for children, Islamic Relief USA's domestic projects benefit the neediest and most vulnerable in our society.

Islamic Relief USA’s largest and most comprehensive domestic relief project was in response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster in the Gulf Coast.

Islamic Relief USA provided over $3 million in assistance to help hurricane victims and sent field workers distribute aid and assess the needs of the victims.

But Islamic Relief does not only operate in the realm of disaster relief, as thousands of Americans have found.

Day of Dignity

Ramadan is the holiest month on the Islamic calendar. It is a month of giving, compassion, and charity.

Every Ramadan season, Islamic Relief USA hosts Day of Dignity, where volunteers come together to distribute food, medical care, hygiene kits, blankets, clothing and more to homeless and needy persons across the United States.

Day of Dignity serves two purposes:
• To allow community members to provide services to their neighbors in need
• To create an opportunity for individuals from diverse communities to work together

In 2008, Day of Dignity took place in 18 cities around the US, where over 20,000 people benefitted from the program.

This year, Islamic Relief USA is expanding the project to 20 cities and hopes to benefit more than 23,000 people.  To read more click here.

Zakah*

Every year, US donors contribute millions of dollars to Islamic Relief USA in zakah, which is then used to help people enduring the harshest conditions in the world, some of them here in the United States.

Islamic Relief USA's domestic zakah program provides financial support to families and individuals in need.   This assistance addresses basic living costs including food, clothing, shelter and other family needs, helping people survive troubled times.

Nationwide, the domestic zakah program has successfully provided assistance to over 300 families that received over $200,000 in aid.

Calculate your Zakah

Capacity Building Workshops

The Capacity Building workshop series is designed to give Muslim organizations throughout the United States the tools and resources to operate more effectively and provide services more efficiently.

The workshops cover four areas critical to the success of non-profit Muslim organizations:
• Non-profit Effectiveness
• Structure & Governance
• Program Development & Evaluation
• Finance & Fundraising

The workshop series will increase the capacity of Muslim nonprofits to better serve their communities as well as improve their ability to raise funds to meet their program needs.

Detroit Development Project

Detroit, like many cities in America, has been ravaged by the recent economic crisis, as poverty and unemployment rampantly spread.

Known as the Motor City because it was once home to large car manufacturing companies, Detroit has seen a recent departure of these companies, leaving many Detroit neighborhoods depressed and hopeless.

One area affected by this type of poverty is known as the Conant/Mount Elliot Neighborhood.

Islamic Relief has been working with an organization based in this area to plan for development that meets a variety of needs including housing, recreation, and social services.

The Grants Program

Islamic Relief provides grants to non-profit organizations throughout the country in the areas of family, healthcare and education.

Examples of 2008 grant recipients include a food bank and social services organization in Phoenix, AZ (Cultural Cup Food Bank), a women’s clinic and shelter services in Baltimore, MD (Muslimat Al-Nisaa) and upgrading a computer lab in Irving, TX (Islamic Center of Irving).

Grants are given to organizations with IRS tax exempt status only and legal and financial documentation must submitted with an application.

Please donate today to support Islamic Relief’s domestic projects.

Find out how the US Dept. of Agriculture and Islamic Relief USA are teaming to end hunger