Islamic Relief USA hosted a fundraising dinner entitled “A Night for the Love of Palestine” on Friday, April 23, 2009, raising an estimated $170,000 to be used for critical supplies for families.

Egyptian actress and humanitarian worker Hanan Turk served as keynote speaker for the event. Photo: Nafeh Abunab

Well-known Egyptian actress Hanan Turk served as keynote speaker for the emotional event.
“Please allow me to say that I want to talk about Palestine but I don’t know what to say because the heart speaks louder than the tongue,” she said in Arabic as her words were transcribed on a projection screen through a translator.

Turk, an international ambassador for Islamic Relief who decided to wear a hijab in 2006 and has become an international role model for Muslim women, said she has been impressed with Islamic Relief’s work and emphasized the importance of donating to families who are in dire financial consequences, especially in Gaza.

“The dreams of my kids, although they are simple, are great. But the dreams of Palestinian kids are different, such as the dream to live in a home where the ceiling won’t collapse on them.

“This is why we need to do everything we can to place a smile on the faces of kids in Palestine.”

Islamic Relief USA has formed partnerships with the United Nations Food Program, United Nations Children’s Fund and other multi-national organizations in recent years and has received high marks for its services.

The Charity Navigator publication ranked it highly in 2008 as Islamic Relief USA received a 4-star rating for the sixth straight year and ranked in the top 2.25% of all charities in the United States.

The organization has worked in places as diverse as Sarajevo, Bosnia, Gaza, and Darfur and also has partnerships with well-known American companies like Hewlett Packard and Pepsi among others.

Funds from the dinner and other donations will be used to provide improvements in education, orphan services, healthcare, water/sanitation services, income generation, and also essential supplies for families in Gaza and the West Bank.

For more information on Islamic Relief USA’s services and how to get involved, visit www.IslamicReliefUSA.org.