Islamic Relief USA’s Nabeelah Naeem reports on the kick-off event for Day of Dignity 2012, which was held in Houston, TX, on July 5.

“One chip for you,” repeated a little girl in ponytails. She divided the potato chips among three other children and herself. Eating a chip or two is difficult. On a hot summer day, you just want to stuff all of them into your mouth. Instead these kids shared their small bag of chips with each other.

This scene perfectly illustrated what Islamic Relief USA’s Day of Dignity event in Houston, TX, was about—serving humanity by sharing whatever you have.

The event in July was the 2012 kickoff for the Day of Dignity campaign that will spread to 14 more cities across the country this summer and fall. Now in its 10th year, Day of Dignity brings local organization and caring individuals together to provide services to their neighbors. Volunteers come together each year to distribute food, clothing, medical care and other services.

Islamic Relief USA partnered with Community Life Forward in this campaign, allowing organizers to connect with other leaders nationwide to provide services to low-income and marginalized community members, said Islamic Relief USA Programs Manager Kyle Ismail.

Services represented at the Houston event included a food bank, a counseling center, a medical center, the Houston Public Library, organic community gardens and even a chess league.

Hundreds of community members enjoyed the services and information, the meals and fruits to take home.

“I had a lot of questions and did not known how to get the answers,” one guest said. “I am blessed to get the answers through this event.”

Onsite, 300 meals were distributed, as well as 200 bags of fruits. Offsite, 600 deliveries were made to the homeless, said Precious Rasheeda Muhammad, Houston’s Day of Dignity Coordinator.



The senior citizens made the event memorable for Precious. They came early, accepted the services provided—and then joined the ranks of volunteers.

“We are very excited to see that level of involvement from the segment of our community that is often forgotten,” Precious said. “To see them very happy and excited about this experience does make it the best Day of Dignity ever.”

Shakir Ahmed volunteered to help set up kids’ books for the children center and give children and families school supplies. “It was fascinating—we had children helping, unpacking boxes, and giving school supplies,” Shakir said. “It was all-round inclusive event of all ages. Everyone was serving and everyone was benefitting. I really enjoyed it.”

The day was full of sharing—from a potato chip to a smile to a word. Imam Khalis Rashad of the Ibrahim Islamic Center of Houston—emcee of the event—said a beneficiary told him, “Young man, you know you are a great speaker, but you need to smile.” Holding her bags and new items, she said, “Look at me—I am smiling.”

“We all can use assistance in some way,” said Jeanette De Los Santos, Community Outreach Coordinator at United Way of Greater Houston.

A volunteer named Elijah took his 2-year-old son along as he drove to deliver gift bags filled with hygiene kits and food to shelters and other locations where the homeless reside. Even though many of the recipients owned only what they had on their backs, some passed the gift bags to their friends before taking theirs. Many said “God bless you.”

“As a Muslim, charity is key,” Elijah said. “Charity helps purify the soul. We want to make sure we can give some type of stability to those who have less. Sometime people just need to know that people care … I was [my son] to know from early on, that when Allah (swt) has blessed you with something, you have to give back.”

On the drive, Elijah saw parks filled with homeless people, sleeping under bridges or wherever they could find shade. Unfortunately, this is life for many, he said. Three-and-a-half million people experience homelessness in any given year.

“A lot of people don’t know the dynamics of poverty in our society,” Elijah said. “There are families living out on the street. The privileged do not see this.”

Each and every one of us has something to share.

Share you time at a Day of Dignity event near you, or email volunteers@irusa.org to find out about other ways to help.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “He whose property exceeds his needs, let him support the one whose property does not (meet his needs), and he whose food exceeds his needs, let him share it with those who do not have food.” —Sahih Muslim