Mission

1 Faith

Our work is inspired by the Shahadah—the declaration of faith in Islam—which affirms that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is His messenger. This foundational belief shapes not only what we believe, but how we live, act, and care for the world around us.

In Islam, faith is inseparable from responsibility. Acknowledging the oneness of Allah and the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) calls us to live with compassion, justice, and mercy toward all of creation. It is through this understanding that SILAH approaches service—not as obligation alone, but as an expression of sincere faith.

Historically, this commitment has guided our support for orphaned children, recognizing their right to care, protection, and dignity. As our mission has grown, this same faith-based ethic now extends to animal welfare, including the rescue and care of vulnerable animals through our sanctuary work. Islam teaches that mercy shown to any living being is rewarded, and that neglect or cruelty is a moral failure. Caring for animals, therefore, is not separate from faith—it is part of it.

By living the meaning of the Shahadah, we seek to honor our duty to Allah through action: protecting the vulnerable, relieving suffering, and serving with humility and sincerity. Whether caring for a child without guardians or an animal without a voice, our service reflects a belief that faith must be lived through mercy.

Through this approach, SILAH strives to embody the values inherent in the Shahadah—unity, responsibility, and compassion—fostering a community where care for the vulnerable, human and animal alike, is a natural expression of faith in action.

2 Connection

Inspired by the second Pillar of Islam, Salat—prayer—we understand connection not only as devotion to the Creator, but as responsibility toward creation. Salat is more than a ritual performed at set times; it is a living reminder of our place in the world and our duty within it. Through prayer, we pause, reflect, and realign our hearts with values that transcend time, geography, and circumstance.

This daily connection to Allah naturally awakens a deeper awareness of others—especially those who are vulnerable, voiceless, or in need of care. In standing before the Creator, we are reminded that faith is incomplete without compassion, and that devotion must be reflected in how we treat life around us.

Historically, this awareness has guided our care for orphaned children, affirming their right to dignity, protection, and belonging. Today, that same spirit of connection extends to animals—particularly those abandoned, injured, or neglected. Through our sanctuary work, beginning with cats and extending to other animals in need, we translate prayer into mercy and responsibility into action.

Salat teaches humility, discipline, and presence. These qualities shape how we serve—quietly, consistently, and with sincerity. Just as prayer connects us directly to Allah without intermediaries, it also reminds us that each of us is entrusted with the power to relieve suffering and restore dignity where we are able.

In this way, connection is not only spiritual—it is lived. It is found in feeding the hungry, sheltering the vulnerable, and protecting life wherever it is at risk. This is the essence of Salat as SILAH understands it: a prayer that moves beyond words, expressed through service, compassion, and care for all living beings.

3 Sincerity

Inspired by the third Pillar of Islam, Sawm—the fast observed during the month of Ramadan—our understanding of sincerity is rooted in self-restraint, humility, and compassion. Fasting is not solely the abstention from food and drink; it is a conscious turning inward, a practice that softens the heart and sharpens awareness of those who endure hardship every day.

Ramadan teaches us to pause, reflect, and recognize our dependence on Allah. Through hunger and restraint, we are reminded of those who live with scarcity, neglect, or vulnerability—whether children without guardians or animals without care. This heightened awareness transforms fasting into a moral responsibility, calling us to act with empathy and generosity beyond ourselves.

Sawm cultivates sincerity by aligning intention with action. It deepens gratitude for blessings often taken for granted and fosters solidarity with the less fortunate. In this spirit, SILAH translates the lessons of Ramadan into service—supporting orphaned children while also extending care to vulnerable animals through rescue, shelter, and protection.

Acts of charity during Ramadan are not separate from fasting; they are its natural expression. By feeding the hungry, sheltering the vulnerable, and relieving suffering, we give meaning to our restraint and purpose to our devotion.

Through Sawm, we are reminded that sincere faith is not measured only by what we refrain from, but by what we give. It is in serving with humility, generosity, and mercy—toward all living beings—that the true spirit of Ramadan is lived.

4 Gratitude

Inspired by the fourth Pillar of Islam, Zakat, our understanding of gratitude is expressed through giving. Zakat is more than an obligation; it is an act of worship that purifies wealth, softens the heart, and reminds us that everything we possess is ultimately entrusted to us by Allah.

By setting aside a portion of one’s wealth to support those in need, Zakat cultivates humility, gratitude, and a deep sense of responsibility toward others. It transforms thankfulness into action, reinforcing the idea that prosperity carries a duty to uplift those who are vulnerable.

Historically, this principle has guided our commitment to supporting orphaned children, ensuring they are not forgotten or left without care. As our mission expands, this same ethic of gratitude now informs our broader charitable work, including efforts to protect and care for animals in need. While Zakat has specific guidelines, the spirit that animates it—selflessness, generosity, and concern for the vulnerable—extends to all forms of compassionate giving.

Through SILAH, we seek to honor this principle by responsibly directing resources where they can relieve suffering, restore dignity, and preserve life. Whether supporting a child without guardians or aiding the rescue and care of animals, our work is rooted in gratitude for what we have and accountability for how we use it.

We invite you to join us in giving with purpose—transforming gratitude into meaningful action and helping build a world where compassion is practiced, shared, and sustained.

5 Equality

Inspired by the fifth Pillar of Islam, Hajj, our understanding of equality is shaped by one of the most powerful expressions of unity in human history. During the pilgrimage to Mecca, people from every background—regardless of race, wealth, nationality, or status—stand side by side in devotion, equal before Allah.

Hajj strips away outward distinctions, reminding us that dignity is not defined by what we own or where we come from, but by humility, responsibility, and care for others. In this sacred gathering, pilgrims are called to recognize the inherent worth of every life and the shared accountability we hold for one another and for the world entrusted to us.

This message of equality extends beyond humanity alone. In Islamic tradition, animals—particularly cats—are recognized as part of Allah’s creation deserving of care, respect, and protection. Cats lived freely among the people at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), welcomed in homes and even in places of worship, reflecting a broader ethic that no living being is insignificant or unworthy of compassion.

Just as Hajj teaches that no person is superior to another, it also reminds us that vulnerability does not diminish value. Children without guardians and animals without protection stand equal in their need for mercy. Their dependence on human kindness is not a burden, but a trust.

At SILAH, we strive to honor the spirit of Hajj by translating unity into action—uplifting orphaned children and protecting animals, beginning with our cat sanctuary in Morocco. Through this work, we affirm that compassion knows no hierarchy and that dignity belongs to all creation.

We invite you to join us in living the values of Hajj: standing together in humility, recognizing the equal worth of every life, and extending mercy where it is most needed.