International Institute of Tolerance (IIT)

Information about this center is no longer updated. This data was last updated on 17 July 2014.

Phone: 310-323-3786
Email: imamashraf@iitusa.org [office], imamashraf786@gmail.com [office], athia@iitusa.org [office]
Website: http://iitusa.org/

"International Institute of Tolerance Programs

Feed the Homeless

The Holy Prophet Muhammad {P.B.U.H) declared:

None is a true believer until he wants for his fellow human being what he wants for himself.

Driven by this declaration, IIT founded its ―Feed the Homeless‖ program in Ramadan 2007, serving 125 cold meals once a month. Members congregated at the Center after the Fajr Salah, prepared the sandwiches, made meal bags including sandwiches, water, banana, and muffin.

Today, after 4 years into the program, IIT is proud to announce that we serve over 1200 hot meals a month to the homeless downtown by partnering with Midnight Mission. Instead of cold cut sandwiches, we now cook chicken curry and rice, and serve a meal package fortnightly. As the economic crisis intensified, we have noticed more people, especially young families queuing for food. Wells Fargo International Group has partnered with IIT as part of their S.E.E.D (See, Enable & Encourage Development through Volunteerism) program as we work towards achieving our goals in the community. Volunteers include congregants, youth and members of the community.

Joining Hands to make the World a Better Place

―”You have been raised as a Community of believers to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil, and fear Allah”. [Holy Qur’an].

Inspired by this Qur’anic verse, IIT launched the “Joining Hands” project which affords its members to contribute to worthy causes locally and around the world to make the world a better place.

Our projects include raising money for raw materials to build a mosque outside Moscow among a Tatar village; raising money for dormitories in Youngstown, Ohio, for the Turkish community of Boston, completing a vigorous collection drive for flood victims in Pakistan, and working with Al-Furqaan Foundation (Illinois) in their mission to deliver the message of the Qur’an. We have also partnered with the Department of Children and Family Services, Torrance office in doing service to families and children. This alliance bore fruit in Service projects with other organizations to cater for the needs of adoptive children. In September, 2011, DCFS recognized our contribution by presenting us with an award for IIT’s commitment, support and dedication to youth and families. As a member of LA Faith-based Family Services, IIT now renders counseling support to Laurel Pointe community. IIT recently partnered with Harbor UCLA Child Crisis Center by donating hygiene kits, pajamas, and reading books for their Center. On December 17th 2011, IIT worked with the LA Human Relations Commission and the G.R.A.C.E Project (Gang Reduction and Community Engagement) to celebrate the success of the Harbor Gateway Community. IIT received a Congressional Commendation by Congresswoman Janice Hahn for their participation. IIT has also become a community partner in Civil Liberties with the Department of Homeland Security and offered to host the next roundtable discussion at our Center this June, 2012. In keeping with its Mission for establishing justice and equity, IIT was recognized by the Muslim Legal Fund of America as a “Partner for Justice 2011” in appreciation for our commitment to freedom, liberty and equal justice for all.

Building Bridges of Friendship and Understanding

Our Building Bridges program is driven by the command of the Qur’an

O Mankind! We have created you from a single soul male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may come to know one another”. [49:13]

Our focus is to create forums of discussion and exchange to foster peace and tolerance. We successfully launched our “Arts and Culture Expo”, and last year, at our Interfaith Iftar used the medium of artistic expression to foster peace and interfaith exchange. Social justice is the core of Islamic life, and we have hosted two awareness and education nights concerning Human Trafficking. IIT also partnered with the LA Commission on Human Relations by sponsoring the 2010 John Anson Ford Human Relations Award, “Empowering Youth through Arts and Action!” We built bridges of understanding with Temple Menorah by observing Rosh Hashanah with them and discussing our common beliefs of atonement. Committed to peace, IIT co-sponsored the 3rd Annual Interfaith World Peace Pilgrimage in Mt. Baldy, California. We also joined hands with the South Coast Interfaith Council by hosting an Interfaith Café at the Center. IIT together with Congregation Beth Torah held an interfaith exchange regarding Prophet Moosa in the Scriptures, and concluded this with a service project of canned foods to be distributed to a local food bank. IIt is also a proud sponsor of the Annual Peace Pilgrimage held at Mt. Baldy every summer. IIt is regularly invited to the Manhattan Beach Community Center to address their Adult Discussion Group on various Islamic topics. Athia Carrim, IIT’s Education and Interfaith Coordinator was nominated “Laywoman of the Year” by the South Coast Interfaith Council for her outstanding Leadership and Service at their Spotlight Awards Ceremony on 22nd March, 2012.

Education: Transforming Individuals through Informational Exchanges.

‘He who goes forth in the search of knowledge engages himself in the Cause of God until he returns. A moment’s contemplation is better than seventy years of worship”. Prophet {S}

IIT’s mission is firmly embedded in the religious education it provides to its members and the informational exchange it makes to communities by invitation. Apart from holding religious classes at the Center for adults and children, IIT has also been involved in the following: Islamic Lecture Series at CSU Dominguez Hills, Manhattan Beach Community Church’s “World Religion Month”, discussing rites and rituals to the Rosenthal Senior Group, holding a Youth Roundtable at the Religious Center of LDS, to name a few. In keeping with educating our community in health and well-being, Dr. Farooq held a series of workshops on diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. IIT is committed to bringing a variety of workshops to the community. IIT also encouraged its members to visit the California Science Center to educate themselves about the inventions of Muslim scientists and their contributions to our modern world. As part of its ongoing education program, IIT participated in the state Mandated Domestic Violence at the Anaheim Justice Center in March 2011, and participated in the Council of American Islamic Relation’s (CAIR) Leadership Conference in April 2011. In March, IIT partnered with the Political science Students association and the Cross-cultural Coalition of American Middle Eastern Women to present the conference, “The Many Faces of American Middle Eastern Women”. We also participated in the CSUDH’s Tournees Film Festival on April 11, 2012, and were part of an interfaith discussion that followed. IIT will be hosting Anatolia Films from Istanbul, Turkey, during April and May of this year as they film their documentary of Muslims and diversity in Los Angeles. 

Going Green: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

“And whenever they get power, they engage themselves in creating disorder in the land and laying waste the fields and flocks, and God does not like such disorder.” [2:205]

Our 3R’s program has taken flight with a focus on helping the environment. IIT members bring in items to be recycled. The students have also visited Cabrillo marine Museum to learn about the ocean, and how to protect the animals in it. We hope to become more involved in recycling projects in the future.

Community Welfare & Spiritual Empowerment

IIT offers a variety of programs; religious, educational, and social to advance the well-being of our community. These include daily congregational prayers, Friday sermons, Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan, observance of Spiritual Nights every Thursday Nights, Qaderi Khatam every alternate Friday night, festivities, Special prayer services, counseling, marriage and burial rites. Under the leadership of the Imam, Qari Ashraf Carrim, IIT ensures the spiritual well-being of its congregation. We offer spiritual, family, marriage, stress, and grief counseling, and undertake hospital visits for the sick. IIT also offers DCFS interpreter services for Muslim clients, and regularly refers members to agencies to seek help that cannot be given by us. We also issue quarterly Newsletters for the benefit of the community. IIT also supports local businesses of our congregants in our area.

Oasis: IIT’s Womens Auxiliary Group

From the annual Meelad Program (Celebration of the Birth of the Prophet), the Women’s Auxiliary Group Oasis was formed this February, 2012. Its purpose is to create the bonds of Sisterhood, empower and educate women, creating a sense of awareness for the plight of others, and developing social projects. On Sunday, April 15th, Oasis held its second meeting with an informative and educational presentation: “Women of the Arab Spring”. Its presenter, Ferial Masry gave an insightful PowerPoint presentation, focusing on the role of women in the Middle East, and the defining character of Hijab. The role of education and technology in the revolutions of the Middle East stands as a testimony to the strength and resilience of women in Islam, and their commitment to fight injustice and tyranny. Future meetings in May and June will present information on Domestic Violence and Refugees. In July, Oasis will begin its major Service Project for the month of Ramadan."

Source: http://iitusa.org/aboutus (accessed July 14, 2014)