We need your help!
We need your help to fund the Ar-Rashidun Community Center so we can keep doing the work that we do at RashidunDC. Your donation will go towards rent, utilities, and programming.
RashidunDC is a community development organization dedicated to serving the most underserved communities in the District of Columbia, founded by DC native and activist-imam, Imam Abdul-Ali, supported by a close-knit, diverse team of servant-leaders. We seek to provide pathways out of hunger, violence, and poverty for underserved inner-city residents through programs focused around service, mentorship, and empowerment, spiritually grounded in and guided by Islamic principles. The newly-opened Ar-Rashidun Community Center is intended to be the place of spiritual and social upliftment in a neighborhood that has faced severe economic depression. We have served as a bridge between urban and suburban communities and are grateful to have the support of our brothers and sisters in Maryland and Virginia.
Imam Abdul-Ali with our Food Delivery
Our current ongoing programs include:
Feed the Hood - Every first Sunday and third Saturday of the month, we distribute donations of food, clothing, and medical/hygiene supplies to residents of some of the most impoverished DC neighborhoods literally by “taking it to the streets”. In addition, our newly-opened permanent food pantry makes grocery items available to individuals and families whenever needed. Four days a week we serve fresh fruits, vegetables, bread and meat at the center. Many of our donations are gathered from partner masjids and organizations in the DC metropolitan area.
Life Skills Circles - Every Thursday evening, we host a mentorship circle for young men which serves as a refuge and a means of guidance. We hope to deter violence and keep our youth off the streets by offering an alternative
nourishing environment; a stepping stone to a bright and prosperous future. We don't want our participants to have to enter a prison before learning about Islam and tasting its beauty.
Community Nights - At least once a month, invite local residents—both Muslims and non-
Muslim neighbors — to enjoy a warm dinner and an open, friendly environment, with the aim of strengthening bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood and encourage healthy families and communities.
Prison Outreach and Re-entry Services - We are active in sending literature to incarcerated individuals and strive our utmost to provide basic aid and assistance to returning citizens.
Employment Skills Workshops - At least once a month, we host a weekend workshop to provide assistance with résumé prep, interview skills, and other skills to strengthen employment prospects.
Community Closet - We distribute new or gently-used articles of clothing to any individuals in need. The permanent closet at the center is stocked with modest clothing, abayas, hijabs, dry cleaned suits for job hunters, and children's clothing.
Jumu’ah and Islamic Classes - We hold a weekly Jumu’ah (Friday congregational prayer) service. Our classes are aimed at establishing foundational Islamic literacy among new or newly-practicing Muslims and those who’d like to learn more about Islam.
Annual Trip to Muslim Family Day
Past Programs have Included:
- A combined weekly iftar for youth from Kenilworth, Lincoln Heights, Benning Terrace, and Congress Heights, four of the most challenging neighborhoods in DC. Through this initiative, we established a temporary non-territorial zone to break down the barriers of separation and division that breed violence in the city.
- Coordinating the participation of youth from across different DC neighborhoods in various field trips, including the annual Muslim Family Day at Six Flags and IMAN’s “Takin’ It to the Streets” urban arts festival in Chicago.
- A daily after-school program with tutoring for homework, team-building exercises, dinner, physical training, and Islamic studies. Nearly 25 youth participated, ranging from ages 7 to 15.
- Collaboration with several organizational partners for DC’s Grocery Walk to advocate for fresh, healthy, affordable food in Wards 7 and 8, where there are only 3 full-service grocery stores for over 148,000 people combined. This makes it difficult for many residents—especially the 47% who have no access to a personal vehicle and the 17% who have a disability—to get fresh, healthy food.
- A Muslim youth conference that brought together youth from different parts of the District for a weekend of building faith, self-esteem, confidence, leadership skills, and teamwork.
Infomation Pamphlets
Testimonals
“
I was a little upset at first [about my two sons becoming Muslim] but I’ve seen the changes in them for the good. They are polite and well-mannered. They take care of their children and every time I turn around they are praying... these young people want something different and I guess Islam has what they want. I’m just glad they’re not in jail. I thank Allah for that.” -- Mary Harrison, Southeast DC resident & parent
"
Those Muslims changed my child. He was out of control. At 13, taking to drugs, no school wanted him, no program would accept him. Now he is going to go to National Collegian Prep School. I am not Muslim but Allah sent them. I trust them. As long as they are there, I know my son is safe, doing positive things." -- Ms. Mooney, Southeast DC resident & parent
"
Imam Abdul-Ali has demonstrated that a lack of resources [doesn’t] inhibit you from going into communities and making a difference. He spearheaded a weekly iftar in the Bennington Terrace community. He went into that community and fed everyone who showed up. It was a tremendous show of brotherhood. Many people have had no previous contact with Muslims during Ramadan, so it was a wonderful opportunity.” -- Amin Muslim, Supervisory Community Outreach Coordinator, MPD
Outside of Rashidun
Additional Quick Facts:
- Our “Feed the Hood” effort started in January 2011. To date, we have distributed groceries and warm meals to approximately 15,225 individuals and families in need.
- In 2017, we distributed 625 lbs. of donated udhiyah/qurbani meat to individuals and families in need.
- In 2017, we distributed 45 space heaters to local elderly individuals in need.
- In 2017, we have distributed $9,156 in Zakat to individuals with verifiable need (through application and documentation).
- In 2016 and 2017, in partnership with the Islamic Community Center of Potomac and the Zakat Foundation of America, we coordinated school backpack giveaways that benefited residents of public housing areas in Lincoln Heights, Woodland, Kenilworth, and Stanton Oaks. To date, 750 backpacks have been distributed to students in need.
- Since 2011, we have had correspondence with and/or provided literature or other items to 300 incarcerated individuals.
- Every year (since 2012), we distribute turkeys to families in several public housing areas, including Woodland, Benning Terrace, Kenilworth, Lincoln Heights, and Clay Terrace.
- Every year (since 2015), we have distributed a total of 600 new or gently-used winter coats to residents of Stanton Oaks, Woodland, and Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.
- Thus far in 2017, we have distributed over a total of 94 boxes of groceries, including farm-fresh produce from the Green Muslims’ Hungry Harvest initiative and Ramadan boxes provided by Islamic Relief and the Dar-Us-Salaam community.
“The believers, both men and women, support each other; they order what is right and forbid what is wrong; they keep up the prayer and pay the prescribed alms; they obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will give His mercy to such people.” (Qur’an 9:71)
“The example of the believers in their mutual love, mercy, and compassion is like a single body: if one limb complains of pain, the rest of the body’s limbs call one another [to react], with fever and insomnia.” [Bukhari, Muslim]
“He does not truly believe whose stomach is filled while his neighbor goes to sleep hungry.” [Tirmidhi]
“The person who makes an effort to fulfill the needs of a widow or a poor person will be rewarded like one who strives in Allah’s cause or like a person who fasts during the day and prays all night.” [Bukhari]
Please Donate Generously!
Help us to continue our efforts. We have made it to where we are only because of the grace of Allah Most High and the generous contributions of individual supporters and partner communities. Help us with your du’as and your moral and financial support. Please consider joining our Circle of Ansar by becoming a monthly sponsor. Your donation is tax-exempt. (Tax ID# 81-3612556)
