A Year of Community: Outdoorsy Muslims Anniversary Celebration

On Saturday, April 11th, Outdoorsy Muslims celebrated its One-Year Anniversary- a milestone marking a year of connection, consistency, and community. What began as a simple idea has grown into a space rooted in intention, care, and belonging, bringing people together through shared experiences and meaningful relationships.

Community Acknowledgment

Our One-Year Anniversary would not have been possible without the collective effort of an incredible community. Every detail from planning to execution was made possible by individuals who gave their time, energy, and heart to bring this day to life.

From our event leadership to the registration and check-in volunteers, each person played a role in creating a welcoming and organized experience from the very start. Our setup and breakdown crew worked tirelessly behind the scenes, while the food, grill, and service teams ensured that everyone felt cared for and nourished throughout the day.

The activities and recreation team brought energy and joy to the park, creating moments of laughter and connection across all ages. Our media team captured these memories beautifully, preserving the spirit of the day for our community to look back on.

We are also deeply grateful to our sponsors, community partners, and local businesses whose support helped make this event possible, as well as to those who contributed food, resources, and donations. Your generosity continues to fuel our mission and expand what we are able to offer.

Most importantly, thank you to everyone who showed up, supported, donated, volunteered, or simply believed in what we’re building- this milestone belongs to you. This past year has been built on people choosing community, choosing connection, and choosing to show up for one another and this day was a reflection of exactly that.

From Evening Runs to Ramadan: The Story of Our Wednesday Iftars

Outside of Ramadan, our Orlando Muslim Run Club hosts community-led runs throughout Central Florida on Wednesday evenings. We initially planned to pause these gatherings for the month, until one of our pace leaders, Br. Tarek Amr, suggested replacing them with weekly potluck iftars — the meal eaten at sunset to break the fast. The idea was simple: create a welcoming space for everyone to eat together. Alhamdulilah (all praise is to Allah), this idea grew into something much more. Families who had spent years in Orlando prior to the start of Outdoorsy Muslims expressed how meaningful it was to finally have a warm, safe community space to spend Ramadan together. Each week became a melting pot of people from all walks of life — diverse backgrounds, different ages, newcomers to the community, and long-time residents.

To reflect on the experience, we spoke with Br. Tarek, who led this initiative throughout Ramadan.

What does iftar with Outdoorsy Muslims mean to you?

“It means joy and happiness. I have attended many iftars hosted by masjids and residential communities under different umbrellas. This Ramadan experience with Outdoorsy Muslims has been unique and beautiful.”

What makes iftar with Outdoorsy Muslims unique?

“You feel the unity and the welcoming spirit of Islam. Whether attendees bring a dish to share or not, the most important thing is their presence. We try to give every member of our community the feeling of a warm hug in Ramadan. We are surrounded by love, barakah (blessings), and people who make you feel seen and celebrated. This is not just an iftar. It is a moment of belonging — a place where your story matters and a night where your soul feels at home.”

We thank Br. Tarek and the volunteers behind the scenes for their efforts in planning these weekly iftars. Three beautiful gatherings were hosted, each week was taken up a notch. A space open to everyone where cultural dishes were shared, friends and families met, and barriers were non-existent. Until next Ramadan, we thank you for joining us and making these iftars special.

Community Service During Ramadan: Giving Back and Strengthening Our Community

Ramadan is a time of reflection, gratitude, and striving to earn extra rewards through good deeds. One of the most meaningful ways to do this is by helping others and supporting those in need. With this spirit in mind, our group chose to dedicate time during the month of Ramadan to serving our local community through a series of volunteer events. 

Instead of our usual outdoor gatherings, we organized three service initiatives that allowed volunteers to work together, give back, and make a positive impact. 

Our first event was held in partnership with the ICNA Women’s Shelter. Volunteers came together to assemble hygiene kits for women in need. These kits included essential personal care items that many individuals rely on but may not always have access to. Thanks to the incredible generosity of donors and supporters, our volunteers were able to assemble an impressive 400 hygiene kits, while also collecting baby formula, diapers, and sanitary products. Many of the kits were provided to the local women’s shelter, and additional kits were distributed to other organizations serving individuals facing difficult circumstances.   

The second event brought volunteers together in collaboration with Project Downtown Orlando. During this event, volunteers worked side by side to prepare and pack 200 lunches for members of the community. These meals were distributed to local residents, and hygiene kits were also provided to those who could benefit from them. The event was a great example of how collective effort can quickly turn compassion into meaningful action. 

Our third and final event once again involved partnering with Project Downtown Orlando. Volunteers helped assemble meals and then participated in distributing them throughout the community. Beyond simply providing food, this event allowed volunteers to connect with others, share conversations, and build a sense of community through small acts of kindness. 

These service events enabled our volunteers to come together with a shared purpose—to help others and contribute positively to the community. Through teamwork, generosity, and compassion, we were able to strengthen relationships, support those in need, and give back during the month of Ramadan. 

By working together, even small acts of service can make a meaningful difference. Initiatives like these remind us that giving back not only benefits those we serve but also strengthens the bonds within our own community. 

Turning Intentions Into Action

Dear Community,

As we prepare our hearts for Ramadan, we wanted to share an intentional shift we’ll be making together. During Ramadan, we’ll be pausing our runs and bike rides—not to step away from one another, but to come together in a different way. This Ramadan, our focus will be on serving with purpose through hygiene kit collections for a women’s shelter and partnering with Project Downtown for food packaging and distribution.

In doing so, we hope to extend an olive branch—to those who may be struggling, feeling unseen, or in need of care. Ramadan invites us to lead with mercy, generosity, and humility, and to show up for others with open hands and open hearts.

• February 15 – Deadline to shop our Amazon Hygiene Kit Drive

• February 22 – Hygiene Kit Packing Day

• March 1 – Private Food Packing Event (Project Downtown × Outdoorsy Muslims)

• March 8 – Food Packing & Community Distribution with Project Downtown

We believe community is built not only through movement, but through compassion in action. This Ramadan, we gather with intention—to lend a hand, offer dignity, and pave the way to do good, side by side.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. We look forward to serving together.

Best,

Outdoorsy Muslims Team

Finding Faith, Fresh Air and Friendship on Florida’s Trails

When I moved to Orlando, I knew I’d miss the energy of my previous home in New York City. But more than that, I found myself searching for something deeper: community. Not just people to spend time with—but real connection, shared values, and a sense of belonging. That search is what led to the creation of Outdoorsy Muslims.

As a Muslim and an outdoor enthusiast, I often felt a disconnect between my love for nature and finding spaces where I could show up fully… faith, identity, and all. I realized that if I was looking for that kind of space, others probably were too. So I started a small group, hoping to connect with a few like-minded people who wanted to hike, bike, explore, and simply exist outside the usual social spaces.

What happened next exceeded anything I could have imagined.

In a short amount of time, Outdoorsy Muslims grew into a vibrant community spanning Central Florida, people who love the outdoors, care about the environment, and genuinely want to connect through faith and adventure. The energy, the turnout, the conversations- it was everything I had hoped for and more.

Somewhere between the bike paths and hiking trails, I realized this wasn’t just about outdoor activities. It was about healing. It was about reclaiming the outdoors as a space where Muslims- and anyone who shares a love for nature- can feel safe, seen, and inspired.

I’ve watched people step out of their comfort zones, discover new passions, and find a sense of belonging they didn’t even know they were missing. That’s the power of community. And honestly, that’s the power of nature.

Moments like these remind me of what’s possible when people come together with intention- how meaningful, magnetic, and unexpectedly transformative community can be.

Orlando and its surrounding areas are filled with incredible natural beauty, and Outdoorsy Muslims is just getting started. We’re hiking trails, kayaking through springs, and most importantly, creating space- space for faith, for joy, and for each other.

Here’s my take: nature is for everyone. And when we build inclusive, intentional communities around it, we don’t just explore the outdoors- we thrive in it.

If you’re in Central Florida and looking for your people, I think you might have just found them.