It’s been hard and harrowing; there are no words to describe the violence in Palestine and other parts of the world, and hatred locally. I’m thinking of you and your family in these testing times. To reintroduce myself, I joined the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) as the Director of Development last year. 2023 was a year of both hardship and victories for American Muslims. At ISPU, we remained firmly committed to our mission of providing data-driven research and education to build bridges of understanding and promote positive change.
There is a wisdom that goes: “When a human being dies, their work comes to an end, except for three things: ongoing charity, knowledge benefited from, or a pious child who prays for them.” With that in mind, I wholeheartedly believe your sustaining support of ISPU is noble, commendable, and incredible. In my eyes, your impact is eternal.
I come from the world of banking. When I think about my charitable giving, it’s not only my faith that comes to mind as a way to organize my priorities—it’s also what will have the highest return on investment—what will make a difference. How can I diversify my giving impact portfolio?
With your ongoing, game changing support, you too have diversified your impact. But we haven't reached our goal this Ramadan. Will you donate once more?
We’re a research institute and think tank—but we’re not just impactful in the world of learning and scholarship. We’re a do-tank—we prioritize actionable recommendations, work with stakeholders at every level, and a broad base of engagement with the general public, who we know can be positively impacted by our work.
This Ramadan more so than past Ramadans, my giving is focused on humanitarian relief and direct service organizations because I believe everyone should have access to food, shelter, water, and have their basic healthcare needs met. But I’m also giving ½ of my zakat, obligatory charity for Muslims, to ISPU.
My take is: we need to see where issues are interconnected. We have to do both—donate strategically and tactically—not just respond in a reactive survival mode. We need to make sure essential research is widely known in every home, so that the horrors we see today, and dread tomorrow, do not go on and on.
Many Muslims believe the last ten nights of Ramadan contain the Night of Power, an opportunity to earn 70 times the reward and an equivalence of up to 83 years of performing the same good deed! And so, I’m writing to ask you to join me in continuing to support ISPU, a research institution. When you give to ISPU, you aren’t just investing in education—you’re helping prevent bullying, influencing foreign policy, and improving Hollywood portrayals of Muslims. Your impact isn’t merely in the education sector, but rather in journalism, media and arts, activism, non profits, and much more in our community.
We are proud to share several key highlights from 2023 that demonstrate the tangible impact of your support—thanks to our supporters for making this possible:
Addressing crucial issues:
Responding to the crisis in Palestine: The tragedies unfolding in Palestine, Israel, and the surrounding region have led to a number of implications here in the U.S. To help lend perspective to the impact many of us are feeling, we launched a resource with select ISPU research that speaks to some of the issues arising.
Financial inclusion: Our #BankingWhileMuslim analysis sheds light on the discrimination faced by Muslims, including Muslim-led humanitarian organizations, in accessing banking services. This research informed policymakers, advocates, and financial institutions, spurring necessary conversations and potential reforms.
Media impact: Our outreach team delivered media training to professional journalists and students. Hundreds of news outlets, including The Washington Post, NPR, and Los Angeles Times, cited our research, informing broader public discourse on issues like Islamophobia, halal food preferences, and Native American Muslim experiences. The data helps improve the portrayal of Muslims and Muslim issues in both news and film.
Looking ahead in 2024, we are committed to:
Deepening our research on critical issues affecting American Muslims.
Expanding our educational programs to reach new audiences.
Advocating for policies that promote equity and inclusion for all.
When you give to ISPU, you’re diversifying your impact because we have so much impact. You’re ensuring that your support isn’t just going to one sector, but underwriting the entire ecosystem of changemakers working to realize our vision: an America where Muslims are thriving and equal.
As we gather during this blessed month, please donate to ISPU and invest in a more just and equitable future for American Muslims. As a reminder, your gift is zakat-eligible.
ISPU is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and education institute. Contributions to ISPU are zakat-eligible and tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
