Blog Action Day is an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. Their aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion.

Their aim (and our aim) is to raise awareness of poverty. We would like to focus on poverty on a macroscale and on a microscale. Here are some examples of how YOU can contribute to reduce poverty.

Poverty on a macroscale

We previously posted about the Global Food Crisis. Read that post and help to feed the poor. Also, the Washington Post has a good platform discussing the food crisis.

Consider joining the Muslim team on Kiva: http://www.kiva.org/community/viewTeam/?team_id=890.

Kiva Muslims (Updated as of Oct 15, 2008 11:02 am)

Number of Team Members : 34

Number of Loans : 67

Number of Loans per Member : 1.97

Total Amount Loaned : $2,375.00

“Kiva’s mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.

Kiva is the world’s first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world.

The people you see on Kiva’s site are real individuals in need of funding – not marketing material.”

For more info about the poverty on a worldwide scale, please visit: http://site.blogactionday.org/resources/

Poverty on a microscale

This is where YOU can really make a difference. Seek local organizations that provide relief to the impoverished in your region. Have some extra wealth? Donate with a good intention. Other ways to help besides finances? Volunteer! Work for the sake of our Creator, make the right intention and reap the rewards.

For Muslims, we know (or can easily find) the teachings of the benefits of charity. An eternal reward? Indeed.

For us in the San Francisco Bay Area, we are blessed with the Rahima Foundation, who handle the following:

• Monthly Food Distribution (basic non-perishable foods)
• Zakat and Fitra Distribution
• Meat Distribution (from Eid-ul-Adha / Festival of the Sacrifice & other occasions)
• Used Car Distribution
• Scholarship Assistance (limited)
• Referrals for family counseling & employment (limited)

How you can make a difference