Arizona State University

Final Paper: Civic Engagement, Identity, and Group Mobilization

Dawud Hashim White II

PAF112: National Service and American Democracy

Dr. Jonathan Koppell

12/7/2020
Introduction

Islamic Relief USA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to positively impacting the lives

of human beings around the globe. This humanitarian agency was established in 1993 for the

purpose of upholding the value and status that is given to the human life within the Islamic

tradition. It is stated in the Quran (the holy text of Islam) in Surah (chapter) Al Ma’idah, “That is

why We ordained for the Children of Israel that whoever takes a life—unless as a punishment for

murder or mischief in the land—it will be as if they killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a

life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity.” This is just one of the many statements within the

tradition that expresses the importance of caring for your fellow human beings.

“Islamic Relief USA provides relief and development in a dignified manner regardless of

gender, race, or religion, and works to empower individuals in their communities and give them

a voice in the world” (irusa.org). They earned their credibility and rank among the best charities

in the West by their generous and active responses to various catastrophic events in the 90s and

early 2000s. But, after much growth and expansion they have also vowed to benefit the less

fortunate by providing long term solutions to their problems as well. IRUSA is an all- embracing

organization with volunteers with a variety of passions; this far-reaching focus ensures that

IRUSA can give any human being the tools to not only speak up for themselves and their needs,

but to be supported as they grow and adapt to life after hardship. Through providing support in

education and health, to women, children and orphans in need, as wells disaster relief; IRUSA

continues to do far more than fulfill the obligations the Muslim has to show mercy to their

brothers in humanity, and unites the common person to get involved and make a difference.
Identity:

The Muslim is commanded within the Quran and from the teachings of the Prophet

Muhammad to be a people that every community can be free from fearing as well being a group

whom they can look to for help. It is through their desire to adhere to these core values that

IRUSA has been able to benefit and save the lives of so many human beings around the world. In

the age of social media, disasters have been met with temporary solutions leaving people without

the resources they need to do more than survive the crisis. “By responding to suffering brought

on by disasters, poverty and injustice” (irusa.org), IRUSA taken on a plethora of projects (War

Relief, Refugee Relief, Disaster Relief, etc.) with the intent of making rebuilding after hardships

a standard of life.

Social Engagement/Mobilization

IRUSA provides a flexible platform that allows people from all different backgrounds to

enact positive change on communities in crisis. They go above and beyond calling the general

public to action through requesting charitable donations by also giving these same people various

ways of getting involved. Just a few of these opportunities listed on their website include,

creating your own campaign, stock donations and gift matching. Through these means IRUSA

calls upon the duty of the Muslim to positively impact the lives of his/her fellow human beings

and makes all the avenues to do this, easily accessible. IRUSA is heavily involved within social

media and they show their understanding of how mighty of a force it can be to influence positive

change. For example, they communicate that those who follow along on their social media

platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, “are often the first to hear about new relief efforts or
see photos from recent events” (irusa.org). Part of showing a world the need to get involved is

giving them a deeper look into the lives and struggles of those who require help. IRUSA

regularly posts on their blog and website stories of both the volunteer experience in the field as

well as the experience of relief from the perspective of the aided. It is through all these means

that IRUSA engages with the Western World and shows/encourages them to step up and make a

difference.

Political Engagement

Islamic Relief USA recognizes that getting the people involved is only one

necessary spoke of the wheel. In order to make a change that endures in the long-term we

must hold our governments accountable for their actions and express to them our specific

desires for change. It was the choice of Barack Obama’s administration in 2012 to

recognize IRUSA for their contributions that they were able to solidify themselves as one

of the key-faith based charity organizations in the country. (influencewatch.org) This

experience also gave them the credibility to earn involvement alongside the Trump

administration after the transfer of power. IRUSA has contacted political officials on

many occasions to make requests and recommendations on the handling of problems in

our own homeland such as their letter sent in March to Secretary Pompeo regarding the

International Refugee Assistance Project. As previously mentioned, the scope of IRUSA

is quite broad and they do not limit themselves to benefitting one group of people rather

they aim to better the lives of everyone around the globe. Proof of this lies within their

letters sent to the government of Greece in late March of 2020, requesting them “to move

asylum seekers, refugees to safety” (irusa.org).

 Dr. Koppell describes in his lecture on political engagement and federalism an

example of what it might look like in our American democracy today, “The act of voting,

participating in our democracy, that is in itself a form of political engagement” (Koppell

00:42-00:50). Voting in and of itself is a branch of political engagement however the true

manifestation of this is described by Dr.Koppell as encouraging and getting others to vote

themselves. IRUSA works tirelessly throughout election periods to advocate the

importance of the citizens of America to exercise their right to vote. On their website they

have an avenue for voter registration as well as answers to frequently asked questions

such as, “Where can I vote?’’ and “Who is running for office?”. IRUSA involves

themselves directly with the federal government and shows the people how they can do it

for themselves. This is the epitome of political engagement.

Conclusion

IRUSA is striving to manifest their goal of ending the unnecessary and avoidable

struggles of their brothers and sisters in humanity. They provide those in need with the necessary

resources to thrive and prosper when they come out on the other side of a crisis rather than

simply surviving. They have committed themselves to making these positive changes as well as

mobilizing the everyday people within their community to also step up to the plate. IRUSA has

established a solid foundation in communicating with the public through social media platforms,

blog posts, articles and even the transparency of their financial records. They are involved

directly with the past two presidential administrations and call all of us to action when it comes

to promoting change and exercising our right to vote. IRUSA follows in the footsteps of their
beloved Prophet Muhammad and through his example are a mercy to so many people around the

world.
 Bibliography

“Surah Al-Ma’idah - 5:32.” Quran.Com, quran.com/5/32. Accessed 7 Dec. 2020.

“Islamic Relief USA.” Influence Watch, 2017, www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/islamic-

relief-usa.

“Advocacy.” Islamic Relief USA, 18 Aug. 2020, irusa.org/advocacy.

“Mission, Vision & Values.” Islamic Relief USA, 13 Apr. 2020, irusa.org/mission-vision-values.

“Our History - Islamic Faith in Action.” Islamic Relief USA, 28 Oct. 2020, irusa.org/history.

CPP112x - Service Year Alliance. “Political Engagement and Federalism.” YouTube, uploaded

by Dr. Jonathan Koppell, 18 July 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH-0wSOiJCM.