The 1 Ummah Dawah Project traces its roots back to the formation of the Islamic Political Party of America (IPPA), a national political and educational organization founded in Virginia in May 2001. With a mission to establish the first Islamic political party in the United States, the IPPA aimed to amplify the voices of American Muslims, ensuring their participation in shaping the future of the country. At its peak, the IPPA had successfully established nine chapters at both county and state levels. One of the organization's significant achievements occurred on June 26, 2006, when the Virginia Caucus of the IPPA celebrated the passage of a state law ensuring transparency in the advertisement of Halal food products. This law, one of only five in the nation, required that any meat or poultry labeled as Halal must provide details about how the animal was raised and slaughtered according to Islamic dietary laws. Sponsored by Delegate Kenneth C. Alexander, a Democrat from Norfolk, and signed into law by Governor Tim Kaine on April 6, 2001, this legislation was a landmark victory for the Muslim community in Virginia. However, despite this success, the IPPA faced internal challenges, including stagnation and inactivity, which prevented the organization from further advancing its mission.

Despite the setbacks, the vision did not die. In October 2021, several founding members of the IPPA from Norfolk, Richmond, and Lynchburg, Virginia, joined forces with other professionals to launch the 1 Ummah Dawah Project, a non-profit organization committed to creating a new reality through Dawah (spreading the message of Islam), education, advocacy, economic development, and fostering unity.