Islamic Relief USA hosts Capitol Hill Ramadan Welcome Dinner

Islamic Relief USA hosted its sixth annual Capitol Hill Ramadan Welcome Dinner on Tuesday, June 7, organized by the Public Affairs Department. The event honored members of Congress who have supported IRUSA’s work and continue to engage with the Muslim American community. Among the Honorary Host Committee were Congress members André Carson (IN-7th) and Keith Ellison (MN-5th).

In his brief remarks, Rep. André Carson mentioned Islamic Relief’s work in Indiana years ago, responding to extreme flooding in his home state. Carson thanked IRUSA for its leadership that “regardless of race or religion, Islamic Relief works to represent one of the tenets of our community, and that’s service to God.”

IRUSA Programs Specialist Minkailu Jalloh shared his experiences leading the IRUSA team in responding to the Flint water crisis. He was especially moved by the compassion and service of the hundreds of volunteers who helped distribute water to Flint’s residents for six weeks. Rep. Dan Kildee of Michigan praised IRUSA staff and volunteers for their efforts saying, “Because you’ve given them more than just relief, you’ve given them the most precious thing that a human being can convey to another, you’ve given them some reason for hope.” In lieu of a thank you, Kildee pledged his commitment to fight injustice in any form, whether in his own hometown or in the national debate over who we are as a people.

 

Media Contact: Mayssoun Olabi molabi@irusa.org or 703-370-7202

XXXIslamic Relief USA, based in Alexandria, Va., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization. Its mission is to alleviate suffering, hunger, illiteracy and disease regardless of color, race, gender or creed, and to provide aid in a compassionate and dignified manner. Islamic Relief USA aims to provide rapid relief in the event of human and natural disasters and to establish sustainable local development projects, allowing communities to better help themselves. Its programs benefit millions of people each year 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.