Sponsoring Islamic Education is One of the Best Sadaqa Jariyah
Learn more about Muslim Connector at this link.
UPDATE: Jumada Thani, 1445 ~ December, 2023
Alhamed ellallah the second issue is out. It is double the size of the first issue of the magazine, and is pending distribution to 3800 prisoners in Virginia and 200 prisoners in Maryland in sha Allah very soon.
UPDATE: Jumada Awwal, 1445 ~ November, 2023
The first issue has been distributed to 1200 prisoners in Virginia, and is in the process of being distributed to another 2800.
UPDATE: Rabi Awaal 11th, 1445 ~ September 26th, 2023
In collaboration with Muslim Chaplain Services of Virginia, ILIA is able to extend its Islamic Education reach to over 5000 incarcerated Muslim individuals in Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia and other states. Help us get our premiere issue of the Muslim connector to these brothers.
Alhamed ellah, by the grace of Allah (swt) ILIA has been entrusted to educate over 600 Muslim men as young as 18 and as old as 70+ at eight high security and supermax prisons in the most remote locations in southern Virginia. Some of the common questions we get by community members are below.
Did you know that youth have a very high rate of recidivism?
So where exactly are the brothers housed?
Ever heard of SuperMax? These are the highest security facilities across the country. Names like Red Onion, Wallens Ridge and Keen Mountain are some that we visit each month. They are located in the extreme south of Virginia approximately 8 to 10 hours driving from Washington DC, very close to the borders with Kentucky and Tennessee.
So what does ILIA do down there?
ILIA in partnership with Muslim Chaplain Services of Virginia, ILIA offers a few important services to our brothers at these facilities, and we are the only Muslims who go to these facilities. We offer
- 1/1 private counseling
- Group halaqas and learning circles
- Quran reading and tafsir sessions
- Friday Jummah khutbah
- Training the trainer
- and most recently a new distance learning program that we need your help to start
How will my donation help?
Funds raised through his campaign will go towards building a strong distance learning curriculum through hiring youth teachers who are qualified. The distance learning program will be used not only in Virginia, but also other facilities elsewhere. We already have need in Maryland's Eastern Shore juvenile facilities, and a number of remote state prisons.
What are the challenges the distance program is facing?
Tailoring curriculum to a high security facility is not easy, it requires knowledgeable instructors to develop the content in soft copy format that security regulations allow to be used in the facility. Once the students complete their assignments our instructors will grade and provide feedback, then our visiting Imam will go over the assignments and new classes during the next visit, and collect new assignments from the students.
Image of Wallens Ridge Super Max State Prison restorative housing (solitary) unit in southern Virginia, one of 12 facilities we offer Islamic Studies distance learning programs.
What does a typical day visiting these prisons look like?
When we visit we spend a few days at a time, and we go once a month because of the distance. On the first day we leave the DC area early around 5:00 am to arrive to the first facility on the road trip around 1:00 pm after a 6-hour drive. We usually spend between 3 and 4 hours at each facility. distances between facilities range from 2 to 4 hours each way. Hotels are usually 30 mins to 45 mins away from a facility. so its quite a bit of driving for sure.
How else can I help if I can't donate?
- Give even one dollar, if you want to donate less than $5, click here
- Share with your friends this campaign
- Setup a campaign using our platform and set a goal for you and your connections
What are the most impactful moments of ILIA's work over there?
When someone takes their shahada, and the following month they are more eager to learn than the day they took shahada and are eagerly showing up to the discussion with a list of questions and things he wants to learn.
How will my donation help?
Funds raised through his campaign will go towards building a strong distance learning program that will be used not only in Virginia, but also other facilities elsewhere. We already have need in Maryland's Eastern Shore juvenile facilities, and a number of remote state prisons.