“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Bukhari)
Salaam Friend,
The blessed first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are an incredible time. These sacred days offer us an unmatched opportunity for worship, reflection, and righteous deeds. As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Bukhari)
At this time of year, many Muslims perform Hajj by traveling to Mecca. While I can’t join the blessed journey this time, I was honored to take part in another pilgrimage recently — the Pilgrimage for Peace, a multifaith march that left Philadelphia on February 14, 2024, and arrived in Washington, DC, one week later. Together with over 200 faith leaders, activists, and artists, your CAIR-Philadelphia staff members journeyed on foot to call on President Biden and Congress to advocate for a ceasefire. Along the way, we were warmly welcomed at stops like the Islamic Center of Delaware County and the Islamic Society of Delaware, where we enjoyed meals and fellowship with local community members. It was truly inspiring to see so many individuals from diverse faith traditions come together to advocate for an issue of vital importance to our communities.
Dear friend, this experience reminded me that Dhul-Hijjah is not just about spiritual growth — it is also a powerful call to serve our communities and uplift those in need. We may not all be able to complete a pilgrimage, whether to Mecca or to Washington. But we can and must all take action to serve Allah by serving others in our own way. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) also taught us:
“The most beloved of people to Allah is the one who is most beneficial to others.” (Tabarani)
At CAIR-Philadelphia, our work is made possible by your generosity. We live the Prophet’s teaching every day by defending civil rights, challenging injustice, and amplifying the voices of those too often silenced. Our work encompasses:
- Free legal aid to individuals facing discrimination and injustice
- Media advocacy that tells our community’s stories and fights harmful narratives
- Coalition building that strengthens our collective voice for justice.
Whether it’s standing up to discrimination or providing legal aid to those in crisis, you become part of our righteous activism when you give during Dhul-Hijjah.
This is your chance to transform devotion into impact. Every dollar you give is a righteous deed that lives beyond these ten days.
Give Now. Multiply Your Rewards. Uplift Our Ummah.
JazakAllah Khair,
Dr. Ahmet Tekelioglu, Executive Director
CAIR-Philadelphia
