Ilm Foundation hosted its 25th annual Humanitarian Day (HDAY), an event dedicated to aiding the underserved of Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 16th, 2025.
Held at Gladys Park in Skid Row, sponsors, vendors and volunteers gathered to provide essential items, as well as eye, dental and health screenings, to those in need.
Humanitarian Day was founded on the Islamic principle of service – helping others with dignity and compassion. Recognizing the struggles of those in poverty and the underserved, Imam Saadiq Saafir, Naim Shah Jr and Imam Hanafi Shakur founded Ilm Foundation, an organization birthed in faith-based activism.
Their mission extends beyond giving – it is about empowerment, inspiring leadership through service and developing support systems to empower the overlooked. By bringing together Muslims and non-Muslims alike, HDAY transforms “a single day of giving into a movement,” embodying the notion that true leadership is measured by the people we uplift.
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“Before Humanitarian Day, Ilm Foundation and Dawah 2000 (founded by Naim Shah Sr.) frequently fed the homeless in Downtown Los Angeles and had hosted two successful Skid Row Ramadan Feedings,” said Naim Shah Jr.
“After the tragedy of 9/11, the Muslim community faced unprecedented backlash. At the same time, much of our activism was directed overseas, often overlooking the needs within our own communities.”
These Ramadan feedings laid the groundwork for Humanitarian Day which began during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. “Rooted in Service, Powered by Faith,” the event sought to provide those in need with essentials and services including eye, dental, health screenings and gift item.
To achieve this vision, the Coalition to Preserve Human Dignity (CPHD) was formed, uniting volunteers, sponsors, and organizations under a shared mission.
“Humanitarian Day expanded the scope of our previous Ramadan feedings to include a long list of daily essentials and health screenings,” Shah explained. “The volunteer base grew from a handful of organizations in Los Angeles to over 20 across Southern California. Nothing like this had ever been coordinated before.”
Among the early participants were Masjid Ibadullah, UMMA Clinic, Dawah 2000, Harmony Bites, the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation, Islamic Relief, and others.
Today, Humanitarian Day has evolved beyond a single day of Ramadan service into a multigenerational movement. “It has become a transformative experience that builds relationships on a deeper level,” said Shah. “What starts as a one-day effort often becomes a lifelong mission for many involved.”
Beyond Los Angeles, the 25th Ramadan HDAY extended its reach to cities including Pasadena, Pomona, Oakland, Fresno, Las Vegas, and Atlanta, demonstrating a nationwide commitment to humanitarian service during Ramadan. The ILM Foundation also launched the “25 for 25” national campaign, encouraging Muslim communities across the country to host their own HDAY events, reinforcing the collective effort to serve those in need.
This year’s HDAY was made possible through the efforts of numerous vendors and community partners, including Hearts of Mercy Foundation (food and drink), Penny Appeal USA (bags and t-shirts), Stop the Violence Increase the Peace Foundation (community ambassadors and socks), Eid LA (children’s toys), Masjid Al Shareef (shoes and feminine hygiene items), Islamic Center of Hawthorne (backpacks), Orange County Islamic Foundation (hygiene kits), Muslim Chaplains (community engagement), Dr. Mansour Eye Care Team (eye screenings), and Trojan Aid (health and dental screenings).
Project Manager and Host Hanif Madyun reflected on Skid Row’s changing conditions saying, “It’s harsher than when I first started – more crowded – and while services have improved, they still haven’t caught up to the needs.”
But amidst the challenges, moments of transformation stood out to him. “About 10 years ago, I recognized someone from my neighborhood in line to receive goods. Three years later, that same person returned in much better condition – this time as a volunteer.”
Naim Shah Jr. shared, “What I felt everyone experienced this day is what the Quran calls ‘لِتعََارَفُوٓا’ in 49:13 – ‘that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other).’”
Humanitarian Day was birthed from some of Islam’s core principles – community service, giving, encouraging acts of generosity and leadership through compassion. What began as a local feeding effort has become a national movement, proving that “a single day of giving can inspire a lifetime of change.”
