2 Black Muslim Women Pioneering Through Service

On Saturday, March 1st, 2026, the 26th Humanitarian Day (HDAY) took place in Glady’s Park - a central location in Skid Row, a 50-block neighborhood historically known as a “containment zone,” where those suffering from homelessness and poverty have communally resided for over 50+ years. To aid those in need, hundreds of men, women, and youth from over 20 community partners, organizations, and Mosques gather to give back to those who are less fortunate.

Amongst the hundreds of volunteers are two women seen from a distance, yet known for their ongoing dedication to serving others and commitment to initiating change within their communities.

Amongst these women is Sharyn Muhammad, a Humanitarian Day volunteer for over 20 years, a woman present at the first HDAY in Skid Row, and a woman whose commitment to service was instilled in her, taught to her by her grandmother, mother, and now passed down to her children

“Today I am a volunteer once again, and I have been volunteering here for about 20 of the 26 times that we've serviced this community,” Muhammad says. “When we first started, we were giving out bags alhamdulilaah (all praise due to God), and another year we brought in the medical services where people could get screenings, dental care, etc.”

“Now,” Muhammad says, “we have a lot of different organizations, Mosques, etc that have joined us who’ve contributed to what we are offering today through donations, truly showing the beauty of this - us coming together and pulling our resources together for those who are less fortunate than us.”

“It's always a blessing to be able to give back to others, and when individuals need help not just with this particular program, but with anything else, we give, and Allah (God) gives us back,” Muhammad finishes. 

Another woman recognized for her genuineness, dedication, and service to the community is Renee Mustafa, a woman who was present to serve those living in Skid Row through preparing feminine hygiene kits and children's supplies to hand-pass to the countless mothers and children present at Humanitarian Day.

“Today, there are two things we are passing out here. We have bags for children, as there is the hotel down here on Skid Row where they're housing children and their parents, and so we have a bag for them where we've included toys, sweets, and other goodies to bring some joy and happiness to their day,” Mustafa says. “The second thing we are passing out here today are feminine pads - there is a donor, and she's provided us with the feminine pads in the small canvas bags where we’ve put pads inside and written a message of hope on each of them - things like “Keep your head up, so they can carry each message with them.”

“As I look back, I have been volunteering at Humanitarian Day for 4 years now, and I appreciate it tremendously because it gives you a reality check that there are so many people who are unhoused and need food and just care or someone to talk to,” Mustafa reflects. “It truly gives me chills to see how the population has grown from year to year to year, more people who are in need, and the human thing for all of us to do is to give back - so this is my effort of giving back.” In every direction you look, working volunteers cover all areas, setting tables, laying out blankets, food, and other essentials, preparing to serve as many of those in need as smoothly as possible, embodying the vision of Imam Sadiq Saafir and Naim Shah Jr., ILM Foundation Co-Founder, initiated 26 years ago. 

“I think the blessing is that we start something,” Sharyn Muhammad says, “and it may be small, but as it flourishes by Allah’s (God’s) permission and years go on, you're still doing that same work but on a much larger scale, alhamdulilaah (all praise due to God). All of this happens, for one, when it hits your heart, and you know that there's a need, then it's important for all of us to continue to step up and initiate the change needed.”

“I am thankful I was raised not to wait for anybody, and I think that my drive is, for one, from Allah, and second, from my parents, my mother, and my grandmother, who’ve all worked in service to others,” Muhammad continues. “When my grandmother was 87, she was still working with seniors, and I remember when she would get off the bus and come home, and she was ready for her coffee because she had spent 4 hours helping. My mom, same thing, she worked in childcare, she was a banker, and in her last days, she and my sister started a food pantry back in New Jersey, so that's where I get it from, and I'm thankful that my legacy is living on through my children.”

Here at Glady’s Park, these two women inspire us as Muslim women strive as beacons of light for our community and others, reminding us of the power of goodness and the importance of searching for how we can serve those in need, those around us, and anyone who may be yearning a silent cry for help.