The Roy Howard Community Journalism Center’s “What Is True?” team investigated claims that state tax money was funding food distributions for religious holidays at the Biloxi Islamic Center.
RESULTS: This claim is false.
Because of high poverty and food insecurity rates, organizations such as Islamic Relief USA and the Biloxi Islamic Center provide free food to Mississippians. To learn more about this community effort, read the full fact-check below:
According to Feeding America, about 571,660 Mississippians, including 155,190 children, experience food insecurity. That is 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 4 children.
In 2019, the Biloxi Islamic Center began distributing food boxes to the local community as part of its annual Ramadan observance. While most people know Ramadan as a time when Muslims fast, PBS News reported that it is also the Islamic holy month for “increased worship, charity and good deeds.” The Biloxi Islamic Center said giving out the boxes was a way to celebrate the holiday through charity.
Not long after the food distributions began, people started spreading misinformation online. Some of the claims included that the food distributions were intended only for Muslims celebrating the holiday, that the food boxes were paid for by taxpayers, and that the food complied with Islamic dietary laws known as halal.
According to WXXV25, Islamic Relief USA funds the food boxes and works with local volunteers from the Biloxi Islamic Center to distribute them to the community. The center gave out 336 food boxes in February 2026 and 250 in 2021. Volunteers also gave out turkeys for Thanksgiving.
Several articles on the Islamic Relief USA website indicate that the food in the boxes is halal. Halal is an Islamic dietary law that includes rules such as avoiding pork and alcohol, as well as strict rules for the butchering and processing of meat.
While the food in the boxes from the Islamic center is certified halal, it does not differ from what most people see in stores. The boxes primarily consist of nonperishable items such as flour, sugar and pasta.
About “What Is True?”
The RHCJC “What Is True?” team of graduate investigators examines everything from viral online posts to local community rumors. If you have a question, submit to “What Is True?” inquiry on the RHCJC website or call 855-IS-IT-TRU (855-474-8878).
