Alexandria, VA—Islamic Relief’s CEO Anwar Khan is joining Bread for the World and its partners in launching a nationwide, monthly fast to advocate for impoverished people around the country who might be affected by unprecedented budget cuts to programming created to provide food aid and other assistance.
Called For Such a Time as This, the campaign begins May 21 with a three-day fast by faith leaders. It continues with prayer and fasting every 21st day of the month through December 2018, the last month of the 115th Congress. The third week of each month is when food assistance provided by the government typically runs out.
Khan said: “People of faith and conscience have been working for years to end hunger and poverty among our nation’s poor and vulnerable. The proposed budget cuts are of great concern to the humanitarian community. We stand united against any policy that leaves our poor and vulnerable in more perilous conditions.”
On May 23, President Trump will release his budget for fiscal year 2018. The budget is expected to reflect the president’s proposed budget cuts and as such is feared to derail progress made in the fight against hunger.
The May start for the For Such a Time as This interfaith effort precedes the holy month of Ramadan, scheduled to begin May 27, and lasting 30 days.
Note to Editors:
Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar (ninth month), starting this year around May 27 depending on sighting of the Moon. Each day during this month, Muslims around the world abstain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset. They are also encouraged to give generously and care for fellow human beings. Muslims are also keen to share food with neighbors and friends. In many Muslim countries, there is a tradition of organizing free food kitchens for people in need during Ramadan. In the West, many Muslims volunteer or donate to local charities or food banks.
Media Contact:
Mayssoun Olabi
molabi@irusa.org, 703-370-7202
Islamic Relief USA, based in Alexandria, Va., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization. Its mission is to provide relief and development in a dignified manner regardless of gender, race, or religion, and works to empower individuals in their communities and give them a voice in the world. IRUSA’s programs benefit more than 10 million of people each year in over 40 countries around the world, including in the United States.
Islamic Relief USA meets all of the Standards for Charity Accountability of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, a national charity monitoring group affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system. Islamic Relief USA is on the U.S. government’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity list, and it is also a signatory to the code of conduct of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.