“What Does Service Mean to You?” A Reflection with 6 ILM Foundation Staff Members, Community Partners, & Volunteers

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. 

ILM Foundation Board Member & Committee Chair & Resident Imam of Masjid Al-Shareef Imam Abdul Hafiz

“For me, joining community service is so significant because in our faith, it's not just about “we believe,” Imam Abdul Hafiz says. “Rather, as Allah SWT says in the Qur’an, “Those who believe and then do righteous/good actions.”

“It is instilled in our faith tradition and practices following our Prophet Muhammad PBUH, that we are supposed to actually be engaged within the community and actively doing good,” Abdul Hafiz continues. “That's what Allah SWT consistently talks about in the Quran of “doing good,” and what better good can one do than serving those who are in need.

“Humanitarian Day offers us an opportunity to allow us to get out of our comfort zone sometimes and let our faith be something used in action, i.e. “faith in action,” especially when it is our people from our community that are in these circumstances,” he continues. “Because of that, it is even more meaningful that we are present as Muslims to let them know that, even though they may not be Muslims, we still care about them because they are human and they're collectively from us being the descendants of those enslaved.”

ILM Foundation Director of Programs Hanif Madyun

I’ve been volunteering at Humanitarian Day for 20 years, the first being at the age of 18,” Madyun said. Being here the first time at that age was really eye-opening, especially driving here and being in Skid Row, and then turning the corner and seeing the Staples Center and realizing how close they really are to each other, when not really understood the gravity of that before.”

“I truly believe that service is critical for anybody to really reach their highest potential; anybody who's really able to serve in any way really ought to,” Madyun continues. “When we talk about service, it is not only important for people who are more needy, but it’s also important to be of service to your peers, your family, your community, and your neighbors.”

“Having a practice of service is really the best way to cultivate generosity, not just from individuals, but also on a community level,” he finishes. 

ILM Foundation Economic Empowerment Consultant & Outreach Coordinator Ibn Donald

“During this time of Ramadan, especially, giving back is the most important thing to do - to focus on Allah, but to also focus on giving back to people who are unfortunate,” Ibn Donald says. “You shouldn't look at yourself as somebody who has more extra income than you, rather, you should look at somebody that has less income than you; that'll keep you at a humbleness.”

“In general,” Ibn Donald continues, “even if you don't have it financially, it's as simple as a smile, as the Prophet Muhammad PBUH said. It's very important for them to reach out to someone in an unfortunate situation and be the change that they want to see.”

Islamic Center of Hawthorne Dawah Committee & Community Outreach Chairperson Abdullah Ali

“Service is an essential part of being Muslim,” Ali says. “For me, being a revert, things that weren't done in the beginning of my journey, I like to make sure are done for others, by dedicating myself to embracing new Muslims and also embracing Muslims of other cultures to bring us together, because unity is the key to service.”

“It's important to be here to show that Islam is universal and worldwide. It’s not just for Middle Eastern or Arabian people,” Ali continues. “Prophet Muhammad PBUH started small and in his immediate community, and now Islam is worldwide and we stand here continuing that journey that he PBUH began 1400 years ago.”

“He PBUH brought about change from one person, so I feel like if I can change one person, and that person changes another person, then I am continuing that legacy,” he finishes.