While America is focused on the curriculum of Florida schools, it's sobering to admit that not all corners of the globe share equal access to education. International Literacy Day is an annual reminder of literacy's pivotal role in emancipating communities from poverty. While strides have been made, many children affected by conflict and displacement continue to be denied the transformative power of the written word. There has been a significant surge in global literacy rates over t...

6 years ago today marks the beginning of the Rohingya refugee crisis as thousands fled violence in Myanmar to seek safety in Bangladesh.Since 1970, discriminatory policies have been the cause for many Rohingya Muslims seeking refuge outside of their home country, especially in neighboring Bangladesh. However, the uptick in violence started in 2017 and reached an all-time high in terror and fatalities.Before the severe violence started, Rohingya Muslims faced policies against them, including...

A season of below-average rainfall can negatively impact a community; however, when rain is less than normal season after season, the consequences are disastrous. Damaged crops and water shortages not only affect everyday life but also potentially lead to long-lasting devastation, including famine and forced migration. Twelve years into East Africa’s drought, millions of human and livestock lives have been claimed, and the landscape of a once lush terrain has been forever changed. Des...

Making the world a better place begins with an individual, but it affects many lives. Remembering our youth have the power to run with the torch passed to them makes it our responsibility to provide them with the opportunities and resources needed to succeed. The youth are the future, and empowering them is the key to our ultimate success and the legacy we leave behind. The United Nations recognizes the importance of youth empowerment and has designated July 15 as World Youth Skills Day to ...

"It is the Sunnah of your father Ibrahim (AS). For every hair of the Qurbani you receive a reward from Allah (SWT)." The Prophet (PBUH) - (Hadith - Tirmidhi What Does Qurbani Mean? The translation of the word Qurbani is sacrifice. The word Udhiya refers specifically to the animals sacrificed on Eid-ul-Adha. During Eid-ul-Adha, Muslims around the world sacrifice livestock and a portion of the meat for consumption among family, friends, and the needy.  History of...

"No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark,” Warsan Shire.  On June 20th, every year, Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) joins the United Nations (UN) in recognizing refugees around the world on World Refugee Day.World Refugee Day was established 72 years ago on the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. This global effort by the UN aimed not only to recognize but also to honor the struggles of refugees.Who are re...

World Health Day is an annual reminder of the significance of health and well-being for individuals around the world. However, we cannot ignore the fact that quality healthcare and nutrition are still privileges for many, particularly those in marginalized communities. Children and the elderly are the most affected when access to reliable medical facilities becomes a problem. This year, let's celebrate Health for All and work towards maximizing convenience and attainability to all healthcare...

Losing a loved one leaves a void that can’t be filled. The unparalleled grief and challenges that follow are difficult enough for adults to bear, but for children, they are often even more overwhelming and life-changing. With each passing year, the number of children orphaned by world events, natural disasters, and other tragedies continues to rise across the globe. The Islamic World is no exception. The recent floods in Pakistan and the earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria have only adde...

World Water Day was initiated on March 22, 1994, to draw attention to the plight of the world’s freshwater resources. Celebrated every year with a different focus, this year’s topic is Accelerating Change. This concept is meant to highlight the worsening nature of the climate catastrophe but also serves as a call to action.  Climate change affects water through flooding, both by land and by sea. Glaciers are melting, causing seawater to rise. Heavy storms such as Hurricanes Matt...

The Syrian Refugee crisis is one of history's most prolonged humanitarian crises. March 15, 2023, marks the 12th anniversary of the crisis, which began when civil war broke out in Syria. Since then, an estimated 13 million have been displaced, and 6.7 million refugees have fled the country, seeking safety in neighboring countries and beyond. An entire generation of Syrian refugees has grown up witnessing unrest and hardships, and the next generation is living through these conditions as well...