20th Anniversary - History

History

Islamic Relief USA has now entered its 20TH YEAR OF SERVICE—we thank our supportive community of staff, volunteers, affiliates, supporters, partners, and donors for continuing to work with us for a better world.

In 1993, Islamic Relief USA™ became an independent (and legally separate) member of a global family of collaborating relief organizations that share a common vision, mission and family identity—connected through the use of the “Islamic Relief” name.

Islamic Relief USA operates five regional offices in the United States: in California, Illinois, New Jersey, Texas and Virginia, which is its headquarter location.

These IRUSA offices have been serving to educate, inform, and raise awareness about our various relief and development projects for years.

Additionally, IRUSA holds seminars, banquets, concerts, and other public awareness programs across the country to help fund domestic and international projects.

Milestones

Milestones on Dipity.

1990s
  • September 1993: Islamic Relief USA established, and headquarter office opened in the cofounder’s apartment in California
  • December 1993: Islamic Relief USA representatives attend first event ever—a youth conference in Orange County, CA
  • 1994: Islamic Relief USA launches its first relief campaign, focused on aid to survivors of the Bosnia War. Staff members stuffed more than 3,000 mailers by hand to raise awareness.
  • February 1994: Their first Ramadan observance as Islamic Relief USA workers, staff members make about 30 visits to 10 mosques in Los Angeles, CA, and raise support for food distribution for those in need
  • September 1994: Islamic Relief USA cofounder Anwar Khan travels to Bosnia, in the midst of war, to meet with refugees.
  • Summer 1994: Islamic Relief USA opens its first official office establishment in Downey, CA
  • December 1994: As conflict unfolds in Chechnya, Islamic Relief USA launches its first emergency effort to provide vital assistance to those in need.
  • April 1995: The first Islamic Relief USA fundraising dinner was held in Yorba Linda, CA, dedicated to Chechnya Humanitarian Aid.
  • April 1995: A business building is bombed in Oklahoma City, OK, killing 168 people and injuring more than 630. Islamic Relief USA helped with relief work, its first domestic emergency effort.
  • 1996: Islamic Relief USA hires its fifth employee.
  • February 1998: When a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan, Islamic Relief USA responded by sending relief aid, its first organized effort for emergency aid in Afghanistan.
  • February 1998: On Feb. 14, the Los Angeles Times featured Islamic Relief in “Mosques Collect Relief Donations for Afghanistan Quake Victims,” an article which discussed how local Muslim communities were raising money to help victims of a 6.1-magnitude earthquake that struck 10 days earlier in Afghanistan.
  • Spring 1999: Crisis erupted in Kosovo, causing thousands of ethnic Albanian Muslims to flee violence at home. Islamic Relief USA responded by establishing a refugee camp—the first of its kind—in neighboring Albania to help those in need.

    • 2000s
    • September 2001: Considered the worst attack on U.S. soil, hijackers overtook several planes and flew them into the World Trade Centers in New York, and the Pentagon in Virginia. Another plane crashed in an open field in Pennsylvania. Despite receiving numerous Islamophobic threats against its offices, Islamic Relief USA joined in relief efforts, organizing blood drives for survivors.
    • 2003: Islamic Relief USA launches its orphan sponsorship program..
    • 2002: The first Humanitarian Day is held. The effort was later renamed Day of Dignity.
    • 2003: Islamic Relief USA launches its orphan sponsorship program..
    • 2004: Islamic Relief Worldwide president Dr. Hany El Banna presents “Confronting Islamophobia: Education for Tolerance and Understanding” to the United Nations
    • 2004: First awarded 4-star status from Charity Navigator
    • December 2004: A devastating tsunami forms in the Indian Ocean, decimating entire communities and killing more than 200,000 people. Islamic Relief USA donors responded quickly to a call for help, and provided aid, including shelters, health clinics, school reconstruction, and livelihood support.
    • 2005: Islamic Relief USA offices open in Texas and New Jersey.
    • 2005: Joined representatives from the U.S. Department of State, National Security Council, U.S. Department of Treasury, US Agency for International Development, United Nations organizations, non-Governmental organizations, and Aacademia for a “Humanitarianism and Islam” conference
    • August 2005: Hurricane Katrina, a category 5 storm considered one of the strongest to hit the U.S., slams into the Gulf region. Islamic Relief USA responds by providing vital emergency aid to survivors.
    • 2006: First annual “Evening of Inspiration” benefit concert for children
    • 2006: Islamic Relief USA and the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) sign a Memorandum of Understanding to expand collaboration on relief efforts for humanitarian emergencies
    • 2006: Congresswoman Maxine Waters recognizes the University Muslim Medical Association Community Clinic—an Islamic Relief USA partner—on the floor of the House of Representatives
    • 2008: Gained membership in InterAction, the largest alliance of U.S.-based international NGOs
    • 2008: Islamic Relief USA donors are now providing relief in more than 20 countries around the world.
    • 2009: Islamic Relief USA opens an office in Virginia.
    2010s