Humanitarian Day Statewide Campaign

Honoring Imam Abu Ishaq Abdul Hafiz Life of Service “The mission is Greater than the Discomfort.” There are leaders who speak. There are leaders who act. And then there are those rare individuals who quietly dedicate their entire lives to serving humanity often in places the world forgets. Today, we honor one such servant of God, Imam Abu Ishaq Abdul Hafiz, recipient of the 2026 Community Service Award from the Southern California Shura Council. This is a recognition of a lifetime spent walking into the hardest spaces with faith, dignity, and unwavering compassion, answering the call in spaces few want to go. But to call this simply an “award” would be an understatement. He is fulling daily the purpose of which the Quran says, “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (51.56) Born Albert Eugene Simms Jr. in Gary, Ind., Abdul-Hafiz discovered Islam during his junior year at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. “One of my African history professors was a Christian, . . . teaching us the basics of Islam in Africa,” Abdul-Hafiz said. “He said they believed in Jesus as a prophet of God, not God incarnate, and I thought, ‘Wow. All my life I’ve been thinking that. . . . This makes sense to me.’ ” After studying several religions, Abdul-Hafiz took his Islamic oath of faith July 7, 1971, and adopted his Arabic name.

What We Learned from Humanitarian Day 2026: From Service to Lasting Impact For over two decades, Humanitarian Day has been a commitment to service meeting people where they are with dignity and compassion. In 2026, that mission took on deeper meaning as we continued our work at Gladys Park in the heart of Los Angeles’ Skid Row. This year we experienced a moment of clarity. Skid Row remains one of the most concentrated areas of homelessness in the United States. According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, more than 75,000 people experience homelessness across Los Angeles County, with thousands living unsheltered in neighborhoods like Skid Row. Many face overlapping challenges, including long-term unemployment, lack of identification, and limited access to healthcare.  Research also shows that a significant portion of the unhoused population lives with chronic physical or mental health conditions barriers that make pathways out of homelessness even more complex. And yet, within this reality, there are pockets of transformation.

Humanitarian Day Returns to Fresno Serving with Purpose and Brotherhood In the spirit of compassion, unity, and service, ILM Foundation proudly marked the return of Humanitarian Day to Fresno during the blessed month of Ramadan 2026. This year’s effort was a powerful reminder that service not only uplifts communities, but also reconnects hearts and histories. What began decades ago as a brotherhood on the football field at California State University, Fresno has evolved into a partnership rooted in service. Former teammates and roommates, Earl Yusuf Oliver and Naim Shah Jr., were reunited once again beyond sports in sincere service to humanity.

Honoring a Legacy of Service ILM Chaplain Advisor Invited to National Muslim Mental Health Conference At ILM Foundation, we are proud to celebrate a moment of profound recognition for one of our own. Our Chaplain Advisor, Sabah Tahir-Muhammad , has been officially invited to serve as a panelist at the prestigious Muslim Mental Health Conference , hosted by the Department of Psychiatry at Michigan State University . This year marks the 18th annual gathering of global experts, clinicians, chaplains, and community leaders committed to advancing mental health within Muslim communities. With participants from over 30 countries, the conference stands as one of the most influential platforms shaping the future of Muslim mental health care. A Historic Voice in Chaplaincy This invitationis a significant acknowledgment of the critical role spiritual care providers play in holistic mental health systems. Sabah’s selection reflects not only her nearly three decades of service as a Muslim female prison chaplain in California, but also her pioneering role in interfaith leadership, counseling, and community healing. Her journey began under the mentorship of California’s first African American female Muslim chaplain, whose legacy she later carried forward with distinction. Today, Sabah continues to uplift individuals and institutions through her work with ILM Foundationin mentoring chaplains, supporting faith-based initiatives, and advocating for dignity and transformation in underserved populations. From Silos to Systems The 2026 conference theme, “Silos to Systems: Weaving Together the Strands of Muslim Mental Health,” calls for collaboration across disciplines uniting faith, psychology, and community leadership. Sabah’s lived experience uniquely embodies this vision. Her voice on the Legacy Panel will contribute to bridging longstanding gaps between spiritual care and clinical practice. Representing ILM on a Global Stage As Sabah takes the stage in Detroit this April, she does so as a representative of ILM Foundation and the broader community we serve. Her participation underscores ILM’s commitment to supporting chaplaincy as a vital pillar of community well-being—not only in California, but across the nation and beyond. We recognize this invitation as more than an individual achievement—it is a collective milestone. It affirms the importance of investing in chaplain development, honoring lived experience, and ensuring that Muslim voices are present in shaping the future of mental health systems. A Moment of Gratitude and Vision We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Sabah Tahir-Muhammad for this well-deserved honor. May her presence inspire meaningful dialogue, strengthen partnerships, and pave the way for future generations of chaplains. At ILM Foundation, we remain committed to supporting leaders like Sabah—those who carry wisdom, resilience, and faith into spaces where healing is most needed. May this be the beginning of even greater impact, InshaAllah.

At Humanitarian Day 2026 located in Glady’s Park, SkidRow, we spoke with the ILM Foundation team and staff, community partners, and volunteers alike to ask one common question - “what does service mean to you?” Amongst the individuals that we interviewed were: - ILM Foundation Director of Programs Hanif Madyun - ILM Foundation Board Member & Committee Chair & Resident Imam of Masjid Al-Shareef Imam Abdul Hafiz - ILM Foundation Economic Empowerment Consultant & Outreach Coordinator Ibn Donald - Islamic Center of Hawthorne Dawah Committee & Community Outreach Chairperson Abdullah Ali - Hearts of Mercy Karim Boukai - Head of Security Dadisi Abdul Qudus In this article, we will explore how each of these individuals have internalized service in their own lives, and the personal experiences that have increased their understanding of service when doing so.