Harnessing the Value of the Ummah to Tackle Social Justice Issues
By Mommina Tarar
Mar/Apr 25
In Islam, social justice is not a political ideology, but a way of life that is infused throughout the community. As God says, “O you who believe, be upright for God, and be bearers of witness with justice!” (Quran, 5:8).
Rooted in the traditions of knowledge and learning, Muslim organizations in the United States have developed educational initiatives that promote social justice while also tackling these issues within an Islamic context. Many mosques and Islamic centers have followed suit and begun to modify their educational courses and services to promote civic engagement and to support Muslims in the local community. These initiatives are set up to tackle issues such as financial stability, racism, affordable housing, and more. These programs unite Muslims of all backgrounds by fostering a sense of spiritual resilience while also educating younger generations about the essential nature of social justice within the Islamic tradition.
Originating during the time of Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), the theological concept of ummah is a collective of people who live together according to their shared Islamic faith. The value of the ummah is in its power to influence how one thinks and acts in accordance with their faith, a process that transcends the artificial boundaries of culture, race, and class. For example, the genocide of the Palestinian people impacts all Muslims across the globe. None of us are free until all of us are free. In harnessing the power of our ummah, we take a meaningful step toward justice and liberation for Palestine and for all Muslims around the world.
The Al-Kisa Foundation and the Ṣirāṭ Project
The San Jose, Calif.-based Al-Kisa Foundation is one of many organizations that offers a variety of educational initiatives to promote spiritual, intellectual, and personal growth for individuals of all backgrounds. One of these initiatives is the Ṣirāṭ Project which began in partnership with the 1990s SABA prison program. The project, officially launched in 2024, connects incarcerated Muslims with local Muslims around the country. It includes sending inmates the quarterly Ṣirāṭ Link magazine and providing books, calendars, postcards, and prayer items to Muslim inmates. The organization provides incarcerated Muslims with access to tools for rehabilitation, resources for education, and emotional and spiritual support during their incarceration.
“Initiatives like the Ṣirāṭ Project empower the ummah by addressing critical gaps in access to Islamic education, spiritual support, and community inclusion,” said Fatima Al Sharifi, operations director for the Ṣirāṭ Project. “We provide incarcerated individuals with the resources needed to reconnect with their faith. These efforts not only support the individual but also contribute to the collective strength of the ummah by uplifting members who might otherwise be marginalized.”
From donating books to libraries across the world to sending Islamic materials to incarcerated Muslims through the Ṣirāṭ Project, the Al-Kisa Foundation provides a basis for holistic education. The foundation aims to uplift and support people from all walks of life, not just Muslims, who are seeking rehabilitation and community by providing essential educational resources.
“Though human beings are born with an innate knowledge of the Creator, their full potential cannot be reached without deep insight and an understanding of the magnificence and exalted status of Allah,” said Naadira Muhibullah, mission coordinator for the Ṣirāṭ Project. “A person must also know what brings about the pleasure of Allah and our responsibilities toward Him. This can only be achieved through education, therefore gaining knowledge is an active aspect of faith.”
Social Justice in Practice
Social justice is a key tenet of our faith. Fair distribution of wealth, the provision of basic necessities for the poor, and care for the elderly and orphans are just a few of the ways social justice is manifested in Islam. No matter how diligently we practice our faith, we have not truly exalted ourselves in our highest form unless we fulfill our obligation to society and to the ummah. Even the pleasures of this life should serve as a poignant reminder that we have work to do, as there are others among us in need of strength and support.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations in Texas (CAIR-TX) is helping Muslim Americans feel both recognized and safe. Recently, members of the organization assisted a Muslim speech pathologist who was fired for supporting BDS, the national movement aimed at ending the Israeli occupation of Palestine through boycott, divestment, and sanction of Israel. “The State of Texas made it mandatory for anyone working in a state agency to sign that they would not boycott, divest, or sanction the State of Israel,” said Mustafaa Carroll, Executive Director of CAIR-TX. “CAIR came to her aid and sued the state as the statute was unconstitutional. The sister was reinstated and received back pay.”
In addition to their work with civil rights, CAIR-TX hosts the Muslim Youth Leadership program to provide young Muslims with skills such as public speaking, debate, and civic engagement. They also share knowledge about Islamic history and Muslim identity. Graduates of the youth leadership program are then eligible to join the Young Muslims Leadership Council where they apply their skills to tackle social injustice.
“It is not only important but absolutely necessary to teach young Muslims the importance of values such as justice and community because their survival physically, socially, economically, mentally, and spiritually depend upon it,” said Carroll. “Our Islamic values are underpinned by the concept of justice. Many of the array of issues that permeate our society today are due to injustices in the world.”
The Role of Mosques
Mosques are a safe haven for Muslims around the world. As sanctuaries for the oppressed, mosques provide a space for Muslims to distance themselves from their worldly hardships and take time to be one with God. Mosques also offer opportunities to give back.
Some mosques address a wide range of issues, such as fulfilling the religious obligation of Zakat by assisting local Muslim families, providing food to the needy, and more. The Muslim Children Education and Civic Center (MCECC) and the Al Madinah Masjid in San Antonio host the El Bari community health center, a service that provides patients with medical consultations and preventive screen recommendations. It is open five days a week.
“Social justice is so deeply embedded in the teachings of Islam,” said Shaffa Chaudhry, a San Antonio resident. “Financial inequality, racism, women’s rights all align with Islamic principles. The lack of these core principles in a Muslim society does not imply that Islam itself lacks them. Instead, it emphasizes a disconnect in effectively teaching these values to the community and encouraging a genuine commitment to learning and self-improvement.”
Shaffa, who attends Masjid Al-Ikhlas, emphasizes the importance of instilling social justice values in the mosques’ educational curricula. “I would love to see more open discussions on racial injustices, women’s rights in Islam, et cetera. Providing services like financial literacy programs, tenants’ rights workshops, or career development to empower community members would be amazing. And those headed by women for women, even better!”
In addressing social justice and instilling values of community and justice within the ummah, Muslims are nurturing the fervor of spiritual resilience. It is through this sense of community that we can persevere and face challenges with patience. Spiritual resilience is at the forefront of our core beliefs when dealing with stress, hardship, or tragedy. By implementing social justice in our school curricula, we are using education to draw closer to our faith. As we grow closer, our eyes are opened to the many injustices our community faces daily.
It is our responsibility to provide fellow Muslims with the resources and services that can unequivocally change their lives, and to cultivate the capability to dream of a different future for the ummah.
Mommina Tarar is a freelance reporter who covers culture, faith, travel, and intersectional social/racial justice.