Aimed toward helping impoverished children around the world, this year's event invited a wide variety of talents including Zain Bhikha, Seven8Six and Baba Ali.

"Our purpose was to create a well-rounded event with family entertainment. This line-up does just that," said Mostafa Mahboob, Islamic Relief's Media Representative. "Each year, we aim to have different types of people come out who can engage the crowds as well as spread the message of helping needy children."

Audience members were thrown into fits of laughter as writer and entertainer Baba Ali opened the show with his hilarious anecdotes of common Muslim experiences, some taken from his infamous YouTube series, "Ask Baba Ali."

"Knowing this is helping children makes this even more meaningful," Ali stated before the show.

As one of the founders of Ummah Films, Ali emphasizes the importance of using entertainment to teach the message of Islam.

Spirits were high as the young and vibrant Muslim pop group Seven8Six left viewers in awe as they sung harmonious melodies that radiated throughout.  Muhammad "Saad" Saadullah played heart-pumping beats on the tabla, synchronized to the vocal variety of his group members and the claps of a fervent crowd.

"They're voices are so wonderful, I'm glad Islamic Relief invited them because they add a new variety to the music that is out now,"  said Akila Malik of Mission Viejo.

"Our music represents a positive message with elements of Islam that we can incorporate into it,” said group member Zafar Razzacki.  “We want to show people the power of Allah's beauty by giving them music, in hopes that it makes them feel better."

The quintet showed off their diverse skills as they performed well known hits from their self-titled album, transitioning from hip-hop numbers like "Dua" to "Tajdar-E-Haram," a version of the 1996 Urdu qawwali originally performed by the famous Pakistani brothers Ghjulam, Kamal, Mehmood,  and Maqbool Sabri.

"We love highlighting traditional material into our music, like qawwali,” said band member Shahaab Quraishi.  “It allows us to extend our genre since we are five different people who represent five different styles of music. We try to incorporate that as best we can."

The concert was made free-of-charge to the public in hopes of inviting all members of the community to take part in entertainment and effort. Islamic Relief representatives led the fundraising portion and received bids ranging up to $10,000.

Under illuminated beams of red and white light, the energy reached its peak as the pioneer of nasheed, Zain Bhikha, took center stage, beginning his moving performance and touching to the soul of the event.

It is not the first time Bhikha has teamed up with Islamic Relief for the sake of helping humanity.  He has also assisted putting on several workshops for Muslim youth across South Africa, enlightening students about the art of expression.

"My relationship with Islamic Relief goes back quite a way; I enjoy working with them especially for causes like this,” said Bhikha.  "Most importantly, one must find the benefits for himself and Allah; you need to cleanse your intentions. As poets we need to be able to look around us and see how beautifully Allah has created everything."

As his smooth voice was amplified from the speakers, audience members couldn't help but move closer.  Bhikha even invited four youngsters on stage to sing with him.

"Music is such a powerful medium; I have seen first hand as a parent, for youth it’s their social identity so it's hard to ignore such a medium.,” Bhikha said.  “I have always encouraged my kids to sing, they need something to capture their imagination.  As my friend Abdul Malik from Native Deen once said, 'Islam is like water. It is clear so as it moves over something it appears as that object or color. But it always remains as water.' In other words, Islam can be expressed in different ways and is represented by different shades but the fundamental message never changes. That's why music is so essential for our children in terms of understanding deen. It encourages them to give back to the world."

Islamic Relief partner Naeem Muhammad, who also is a member of the group Native Deen, presented an emotional slideshow while remarking on the grave necessity in Islam to give to those less fortunate.  A somber hush fell over the auditorium as pictures of needy, hungry children from around the world plastered the stage, reminding everyone of the purpose of the event.

"Islamic relief helps the most vulnerable people from all walks of life,” said Muhammad as he stressed the value of giving back.  “People don't understand how much a dollar can do.  That's why this event is more than just a concert – it's a call to action."

Anwar Khan, general manager of Islamic Relief, has traveled to several countries over the years and accentuated the circumstances overseas.

"In Mali, I once saw children making wudu from a dirty stream; in another region, five siblings were eating from one bowl of daal,” said Khan.  “This work is imminent and necessary.  People don't understand how dangerous it is as well. Islamic Relief workers have died overseas because they believed in this. We cannot look away."

Mahboob added the importance of volunteering more at home than abroad.

"We cannot overemphasize the importance of volunteering, they are the people who put these events together,” he said.  “It's actually costly for us to send someone overseas; people don't realize how much can be done at home.”

Mahboob gave an example of one event that was put on entirely by Islamic Relief volunteers in Anaheim that raised nearly $600,000.

“The money we raise at home is so beneficial, and we hope people keep that in mind as Ramadan arrives," he said.