American Muslims are donating in record numbers to the current crisis in East Africa, in spite of an overall decline in charitable giving among U.S. donors over the last several years*.  Islamic Relief USA has received record online donations this Ramadan, the ninth month of Muslim calendar when Muslims fast and give to charitable causes, with most donors giving overwhelmingly to the East Africa Crisis Appeal.  

The current drought crisis in the Horn of Africa has prompted American Muslims to donate in record amounts. In less than two weeks, Alexandria, Va.-based Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) has seen online donations to its East Africa campaign surpass online donations to all of the organization’s previous humanitarian appeals this year, including those for crises in Syria, Libya, Yemen and Japan.

Offline, community leaders and imams are galvanizing their local communities to host fundraising events for East Africa. At one fundraiser in Anaheim, Calif., donations to IRUSA’s East Africa Crisis Appeal garnered $600,000 in one night, with hip hop star Lupe Fiasco donating $50,000 for the cause. 

Via: Newswire