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Home » News » Islamic Relief in the News
Islamic Relief in the News
Posted on 3/28/2008 WASHINGTON — World Vision, Islamic Relief and Catholic Relief Services are among several faith-based groups supporting the new U.S. WASH-in-Schools Initiative, which aims to bring clean water to Third World schools.
About 1 billion people living in underdeveloped countries are dying from preventable illnesses related to poor water quality, humanitarian groups said. [...] read more » | Posted on 2/27/2008 By Michael Stetz
San Diego Union-Tribune
February 22, 2008
SAN DIEGO – More than 500 people are expected to turn out tonight for a fundraiser to aid relief in Pakistan, a nation that has been hard hit recently by political unrest and natural catastrophes.
The star attraction of the event, sponsored by Islamic Relief, is renowned cricket player Shahid Afridi.
In New Jersey this month, about 800 people showed up for a similar fundraiser, many of them because of Afridi, 27, a member of the Pakistan national team.
They also turn out to help Pakistan. [...] read more » | Posted on 2/13/2008 By Lisa Fernandez
The Mercury News
Article Launched: 02/13/2008 07:55:15 AM PST
A star from Pakistan's national cricket team will speak Feb. 23 in San Jose about the devastation he witnessed in his home country following a cyclone in July that left thousands homeless.
Shahid Afridi, a popular batter and high scorer on the Pakistani cricket team, is visiting six cities this month to raise money on behalf of Islamic Relief, a national charitable organization with offices in 24 countries.
Afridi is hoping to tap into the pockets of Silicon Valley donors who will contribute a total of at least $150,000 to rebuild homes and sanitation systems, as well as distribute food and hygiene kits, specifically in the province of Baluchistan, which was severely damaged by the cyclone and flooding last summer. [...] read more » | Posted on 2/13/2008 Staff Report
The Daily Times
KARACHI: Pakistan’s star all-rounder Shahid Afridi announced on Wednesday that he would be visiting various cities in the United States this month to raise funds for the disaster hit areas in Pakistan. “By joining the Islamic Relief USA as a volunteer I would be able to do it more effectively to help the victims of disaster,” he told a news conference here at the National Stadium. Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif, former Test pacer Jalaluddin and first class cricketer Haris Khan were also present on the occasion.
“I have been contributing towards humanity as an individual but by joining the Islamic Relief it will be all together different,” he added. [...] read more » | Muslim comedy subject of Ramadan pane Posted on 1/23/2008 By Carolee Walker
USINFO Staff Writer
12 October 2007
Washington -- There is not anything funny about Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting and reflection, or about the threat of violent al-Qaida terrorists around the world, but that does not mean the average person cannot appreciate a good Muslim joke.
Sometimes the best way to deal with a sensitive subject is to make fun of it, says Muslim comedian Azhar Usman.
Muslims, like everybody else, are capable of laughing and being funny, Usman said at American University in Washington at the virtual town hall meeting “Laughing While Muslim.” The October 3 meeting held during Ramadan used digital video conference technology to link Muslim panelists at American University (AU) and the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles to talk seriously about comedy. [...] read more » | Posted on 1/23/2008 Pablo Albilal / Contributing Writer
The Daily Targum
Issue date: 10/10/07 Section: Page One
Students break their fast yesterday evening in the Multipurpose Room in the Rutgers Student Center on the College Avenue campus. Fast-a-Thon, an event sponsored by the Islamic Society of Rutgers and other groups, aimed to raise money for displaced people in Darfur, Sudan. The event raised $5,000.
A tantalizing aroma floated out of the doors of the Multipurpose Room in the Rutgers Student Center on the College Avenue campus yesterday evening - a treat for 500 students who had fasted since dawn. [...] read more » | Posted on 1/23/2008 Helen Yim, Bruin contributor (Contact)
Daily Bruin
Published: Tuesday, October 9, 2007
While fasting during Ramadan helps Muslim students to reflect on their souls and grow closer to God, the increased religious commitments also challenge them to implement time management skills and provide opportunities to commune with each other.
Abrar Ahmed, a fifth-year study of religion student, said he reorganizes his schedule around fasting and prayer during Ramadan.
“Going to UCLA, the academic demand is very high, and the demand to worship is high, (so) we try to change our schedule to cater to both of them at the same,” Ahmed said.
But while the stress of fasting and prayer coupled with a full course load can be physically taxing, Hasan Misherghi, a fourth-year political science student, said the experience is spiritually rewarding. [...] read more » | Posted on 1/23/2008 By Kyung M. Song
The Seattle Times
September 30, 2007
Islam commands its followers to give alms, called Zakat, equal to 2.5 percent of their income. Saturday, during their religion's holiest month, some area Muslims were prepared to give generously to the region's homeless people. [...] read more » | Muslims provide food, clothing and health screenings at annual Humanitarian Day Posted on 1/23/2008 By Bradley Olson, Baltimore Sun Reporter
The Sun
September 30, 2007
Mallory Terry, who lives on a Northwest Baltimore block in Upton where half the rowhouses are vacant, wasn't expecting to see a throng of people collecting food and clothing outside the Ul-Haqq mosque when she took her two sons for a walk yesterday.
After pausing briefly to ask if the bonanza was open to anyone, she collected apples, water, soda, spaghetti, corn and two bags of clothes, blankets and toiletries. Then she graciously thanked several volunteers.
Terry, 23, said she isn't in dire straits, but as a mother of two young sons, she takes all the help she can get. [...] read more » | Muslims put faith in action at local community center Posted on 1/23/2008 By Michael Naughton and Patricia McDonnell
The Boston Globe
September 30, 2007
Local Muslims observing Ramadan helped uphold one of the pillars of their faith yesterday - charity.
Waves of people streamed in and out of the Tobin Community Center in Roxbury as part of the second annual National Humanitarian Day for the Homeless.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast and are encouraged by their faith to assist the needy, volunteers at the center said yesterday.
"We always try to be charitable, especially during this month. [...] read more » | Calif. native opts to stay after storm Posted on 1/23/2008 By Jared Janes, Advocate staff writer
The Advocate
September 30, 2007
As the needy walked down a line of tables set up in a BREC gym Saturday afternoon, grabbing toys for their children and care packages for themselves, Ruben Vaughan said as he watched the procession that it was the reason he stayed in Louisiana.
Vaughan, a California native who played football at the University of Oregon, came to Louisiana as a volunteer in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
But, Vaughan said, after he saw there would be continued need in the area, not just by evacuees but also by the public, he applied for a job as the Gulf Coast project coordinator for Islamic Relief USA, the largest Muslim charity in the nation.
“I came down here, saw the poverty and wanted to stay,” Vaughan said Saturday at the charity’s Humanitarian Day event. [...] read more » | Posted on 1/23/2008 By Kim Vo
Mercury News
San Jose Mercury News
Article Launched:10/13/2007 01:49:12 AM PDT
Chatting with visitors to her mosque during Ramadan, Bushra Burney mentioned to a married couple that her annual charitable donation - or zakat - went to the Islamic Relief Fund.
It's a respectable group, the Fremont woman hastened to add. "There's nothing fishy about it."
Such defensiveness reflects the quandary facing many Muslims, whose religion requires them to pay 2. [...] read more » | Posted on 1/13/2008 By Linda Brill
King-TV Channel 5
September 29, 2007
SEATTLE - Local Muslims surprised homeless men and women on the streets of Seattle with gifts Saturday.
The act of charity was part of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, and part of Muslim Humanitarian Day, which is celebrated in many other cities.
In the Muslim faith, generously giving to the poor is an essential duty.
"There's so much media about what people see as Muslims being terrorists . [...] read more » | Posted on 1/13/2008 By Santiago Esparza
The Detroit News
September 29, 2007
DETROIT – John Thomas waited more than two hours to snag a few bags of free children's clothing and toys for his two sons Saturday, but did not mind the long line at Cass Park.
By 11:30 a.m. Saturday, more than 50 people were already waiting in line ahead of the 41-year-old Detroiter to receive assistance as part of this year's Humanitarian Day. [...] read more » | Posted on 1/6/2008 KARACHI, July 27: Pakistan's top cricketers on Friday pledged to raise funds for the victims of the recent cyclone and floods in the Sindh and Balochistan provinces.
Pakistan's vice captain Salman Butt said that some of the cricketers had visited the flood affected areas and were pained to see the devastation caused among the people.
"We have decided to help raise funds for the Islamic Relief Pakistan (IRP) which is providing assistance to the victims in both provinces," Butt said.
Butt said he would do anything to help IRP to provide relief aid to brothers and sisters affected by the floods during last month. [...] read more » | Posted on 1/6/2008 By: Sarah Frier, Staff Writer
Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: Features
Students, parents and community members gathered at the Great Hall in the Student Union on Sunday to break their Ramadan fasts and give to charity at the third-annual Triangle Iftaar.
The event was co-hosted by the Muslim Student Association branches at UNC, Duke University and N.C. State University. [...] read more » | Posted on 12/27/2006 Wayne County: Meat giveaway expands
The Detroit News
December 27, 2006
Islamic Relief, an international emergency relief and development organization, will expand its meat distribution project in Detroit. The project, launched as a pilot program last year to distribute meat to Metro Detroit families, will be at 9:30 a.m. Jan. [...] read more » | Posted on 12/26/2006 Udhiyah Serves US Needy
Islamonline
December 26, 2006
By Sahar Kassaimah
In its second year, the domestic Udhiyah project has expanded to more cities and serves more people.
WASHINGTON — Although many Muslims in the US still prefer to dedicate animals sacrificed for 'Eid Al-Adha to poor countries overseas, a domestic project has been launched to enable Muslims to donate Udhiyah to needy Americans irrespective of any creed, color or race background.
"In the first year as a pilot program, the Shura Council of Michigan and Islamic Relief were able to distribute over 12,000 pounds of meat to needy families and individuals in the Detroit metropolitan area," Mostafa Mahboob, Islamic Relief's media and public relations officer, told IslamOnline.net. [...] read more » | Posted on 10/19/2006 Muslims put faith into action for Ramadan
The Christian Science Monitor
October 19, 2006
By Jane Lampman
ROXBURY, MASS.
Two rows of tables, stretching the length of the gymnasium, are neatly stacked with brand-new items: warm sweat shirts and caps in several colors, thick socks, bright yellow ponchos to ward off the weather, and hygiene kits stocked with towels, toothpaste and a toothbrush, soap, and a comb. There are bags of food, bottles of water, and, for the children, backpacks and toys.
Young Muslims in matching T-shirts stand ready to help those coming through the line to pick the right size or color. [...] read more » | Posted on 10/17/2006 Local Muslims reach out to homeless
Food, clothes aid the less fortunate
The Boston Globe
October 15, 2006
By Michael Levenson
They handed out bags of apples, bagels, granola bars, and raisins, hats, socks, sweatshirts, rain ponchos, and, for the children who came with arms outstretched, toy cars.
This was the first annual Humanitarian Day for the Homeless, an event organized by Boston-area Muslims to feed and clothe the homeless during the holy month of Ramadan.
Muslims observe Ramadan by praying, performing acts of charity, and fasting from sunup to sundown, to draw them nearer to Allah and to remind them of the hardships the poor endure.
The event yesterday was a way to put into action the principles of Ramadan, participants said. [...] read more » | Posted on 10/17/2006 Muslims help Newark homeless as part of Ramadan
Newsday.com
October 16, 2006
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) _ About 800 needy people received food, clothing, hygiene kits and blankets as part of an Islamic charity program over the weekend. [...] read more » | Posted on 10/17/2006 Muslim Humanitarian Day Serves US Homeless
islamonline.net
October 17, 2006
By Sahar Kassaimah
WASHINGTON — In its fifth year, the annual Muslim Humanitarian Day has expanded to serve around 20,000 homeless individuals and families in fourteen cities nationwide, regardless of any and all religious and ethnic backgrounds.
"We usually provide them with a warm meal like a burger donated by a restaurant," Mostafa Mahboob, media and public relations representative of Islamic Relief, one of the lead coordinators of the event, told IslamOnline.net on Tuesday, October 17. [...] read more » | Posted on 10/17/2006 Muslims donating to the less fortunate
Area Ramadan events aiding the needy
Telegram & Gazette Staff
October 3, 2006
By Bronislaus B. Kush
WORCESTER— During Ramadan, the ninth month on the Islamic calendar, practicing Muslims worldwide fast, pray, and take part in acts of charity to better themselves.
However, they're not the only ones who benefit from the observance. Locally, a number of needy people, many of them not Muslims, will reap rewards from the sacrifices made by followers of the prophet Muhammad. [...] read more » | Posted on 10/17/2006 Muslims reach out to homeless with Ramadan charity
The Boston Herald
October 15, 2006
By Shaun Tolson
In the spirit of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, local Muslim organizations are providing charitable aid to the needy and homeless in 14 cities across the nation, including Boston for the first time.
"You don't see much out there to try to help people who are in need," a homeless veteran said on the steps of the Tobin Community Center in Roxbury.
It was a declaration of appreciation for the "Humanitarian Day for the Homeless" event at the center, sponsored by Islamic Relief.
More than 350 volunteers provided clothing, personal hygiene items, toys, brown-bagged bundles of food, and bottles of water to those in need, with no questions asked. [...] read more » | Posted on 10/17/2006 Muslims keeping the faith
The Herald News
October 15, 2006
By Brian Spadora
NEWARK -- Ahmad Yousaf was out early on a chilly Saturday, putting what others need ahead of what he wanted.
Sure, Yousaf said, he could have slept in and spent the day watching football, like most other 20-year-olds. But he feels called to be a good Muslim, and that means being a good person.
Yousaf, of Paramus, was one of about 205 volunteers -- most of them young people -- providing blankets, school supplies, food and health screening to more than 2,000 homeless and low-income residents. [...] read more » | Food, utensils and linens are given out Posted on 10/17/2006 Congregations unite to dispense to needy
Food, utensils and linens are given out
Times-Picayune
October 15, 2006
By Kate Moran
Staff writer
Two Central City faith congregations -- one Muslim and one Baptist -- came together Saturday to dish out plates of crawfish etouffee and pass out linens and kitchen utensils to New Orleanians who need assistance more than a year after Hurricane Katrina.
Crowds were light inside the Magnolia Farmers Market on Simon Bolivar Avenue, but the line outside was continually replenished with new people waiting for a chance to haul away boxes filled with pillows, sheets and towels. By midday, more than 700 people had accepted donations.
Wali Abdel-Raoof, imam at the nearby New Orleans Masjid of Al-Islam, said many of the humanitarian groups that descended on the city after Katrina have left now that the storm no longer dominates national headlines. [...] read more » | Posted on 10/17/2006 Muslims help Newark homeless as part of Ramadan
The Associated Press
October 16, 2006
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - About 800 needy people received food, clothing, hygiene kits and blankets as part of an Islamic charity program over the weekend.
Volunteers from the California-based Islamic Relief group handed out supplies to homeless and other needy people outside a housing project in Newark on Saturday and in New York on Sunday. [...] read more » | Posted on 10/17/2006 Muslim community effort gives homeless a hand
The Baltimore Examiner
October 16, 2006
by Napoleon Martinez
BALTIMORE - A national effort by 16 major cities nationwide assisted thousands of people who are homeless as part of Humanitarian Day on Saturday.
Baltimore’s Wilson Street was lined with tables with more than 50 volunteers providing 250 homeless people with necessities.
"We don’t want people to come get their food and leave," said Karim Amin, who coordinated the event for Masjid Ul-Haqq, a mosque created in 1959, which hosted the event with Islamic Relief, the organization behind the nationwide event.
"We want to teach them to fish, so to speak. [...] read more » | Posted on 9/23/2006 Muslims Around World Begin to Commemorate Ramadan
VOA News
September 23, 2006
Iraqis shop at the start of the holy month of Ramadan, in Baghdad, Sept. 23, 2006
Muslims around the world are beginning to mark the start of the holy month of Ramadan.
Palestinians in the West Bank town of Ramallah flocked to markets Saturday to buy groceries in preparation for the Islamic calendar's holiest month. Ramadan commemorates the time when it is believed that the words of the Muslim holy book, the Koran, were revealed to the Prophet Mohammed more than 1,400 years ago. [...] read more » | Posted on 9/23/2006 Ramadan begins fast and goodwill
Burbank Leader
September 23, 2006
By Robert S. Hong
GLENDALE — Sundown on Friday marked the beginning of Ramadan, a time when Muslims worldwide will begin a month of prayer and fasting.
The occasion in part celebrates the time when the Qur'an was believed to be revealed from God to the prophet Muhammad and is also the ninth month in the lunar calendar.
During the month many Muslims will refrain from eating and drinking during the daylight hours and will partake in extended prayer sessions at their local mosque, said Edina Lekovic, spokesperson for the Islamic Center of Southern California. [...] read more » | Posted on 8/29/2006 Charity strives to keep 'clean'
The Chicago Tribune
August 29, 2006
By Deborah Horan
Anwar Khan is short on details but strong in his belief that the aid his worldwide Muslim charity has donated to help rebuild Lebanon will not end up in the hands of Hezbollah.
The money--$2 million collected nationwide since the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict began, including about $200,000 from Chicago-area Muslims--is funneled through legitimate organizations, he said, including the Lebanese Red Cross. In some cases, a representative of Khan's Islamic Relief, based in Buena Park, Calif., is on location. [...] read more » | Posted on 8/8/2006 Inland residents help Mideast relief effort
The Press-Enterprise
August 8, 2006
By Bettye Wells Miller
Inland residents watching the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Middle East are raising money for international relief agencies that still operate in Lebanese and Israeli communities devastated by war.
Southern California Muslims and Mormons have contributed money or emergency supplies.
Cargo containers carrying 85 tons of aid -- including medical supplies, hygiene kits, powdered milk, baby formula and hand soap -- arrived in the port of Beirut over the weekend in a joint relief effort of Islamic Relief USA and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Church members assembled the supplies, which were shipped from Salt Lake City last week. [...] read more » | Posted on 8/1/2006 Mormons, Muslims Team Up on Overseas Aid Projects
Religion News Service
By Adelle M. Banks
As the latest round of violence in the Middle East continues to flare between Israel and Hezbollah, two disparate religious groups -- Mormons and Muslims -- have pooled their resources to aid the casualties of the conflict.
Mormons, who have a long history of disaster preparedness, have the supplies. And Muslims, who consider charity one of the five pillars of Islam, have the contacts on the ground. [...] read more » | Posted on 7/28/2006 Music: Islamic Relief benefit a refreshing departure from the routine
The Dallas Morning News
July 28, 2006
By Tom Maurstad
RICHARDSON – At most concerts, the lines you hear over and over again from the performers are along the lines of "How you all doing tonight?" or "We're glad to be back in Texas." But throughout the Evening of Inspiration 2006 World Tour at the Eisemann Center on Thursday night, the phrase you heard over and over again was "As-salamu alaykum" – an Arabic greeting, commonly used in Muslim cultures, meaning "Peace be upon you."
And at most shows, when there's an intermission, the audience piles into the lobby to buy food and drink, check out the souvenirs and, of course, chatter into a cellphone. While all of that was going on at this show, the primary purpose of intermission was to allow people a chance to file downstairs and pray. [...] read more » | Posted on 6/2/2006 Islamic, Mormon Groups Unite For African Relief
NBC 4 News
June 2, 2006
LOS ANGELES -- More than 10 million people living in the Horn of Africa are facing a severe food shortage and even starvation. Among those working to help the people of Kenya, Ethiopia and Malawi are two unlikely allies. One of them is based in Burbank. NBC4's Kelly Mack has more. [...] read more » | Posted on 1/25/2006 Muslim holiday brings food banks unusual blessing
New York Newsday
January 11, 2006
By Cara Anna
ALBANY, N.Y. -- In the prepackaged, boxed and canned world of American food banks, fresh meat is a luxury. But what to do when two and a half tons come at once?
Take it, Amy Gabala says happily. [...] read more » | Posted on 1/25/2006 A Winter Break to Fix What Katrina Broke
Daily Nexus
January 13, 2006
By Matt Cappiello
A red Ford pickup drives down a dirt path, carrying a coffin and seven UCSB students. It is the early afternoon in Phoenix, La. - a small rural area in the vicinity of Plaquemines Parish. Phoenix resident Tyronne Edwards and Suncere Ali Shakur - a worker from the organization Common Ground Relief - both get out of the truck. [...]
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