ICNA Relief Canada (IRC) organized Fundraising Iftar & dinner to raise funds for the international and domestic relief programs particularly Orphan Sponsorship and Water for Life projects. The event was held at the Grand Taj Banquet Hall in Surrey on May 20, 2019. Imam Ahmed Saleem and Abdullah Dad Khan (Director Domestic Programs ICNA Relief Canada) were keynote speakers at the event. The formal proceedings of the program started with a beautiful recitation, by Br Furqan Memon, of the divine book, Holy Qur’an followed by a heart touching nasheed “Ya Rahman” and slide show of ICNA Vancouver’s local activities. Towards the end, the youngest volunteer, Furqan Memon’s call for prayer moved the participants who were already feeling the aura of holiness and compassion ensuing from the speeches of the guest speakers.
Around three hundred concerned community members, brothers and sisters, attended the ICNA Relief Surrey’s fundraiser and showed their concern, care and commitment to help their brothers and sisters in need across the globe by their donations and prayers.
After video presentations reflecting Oassis of Urfa (A shelter for Syrian orphan girls), Aagosh (An Orphanage project in Pakistan) and Educational project in Pakistan, Brother Abdullah Dad Khan highlighted the importance of helping these brothers and sisters in need. He quoted that we should put ourselves in the shoes of those brothers and sisters who are going through hardship to get the feeling and motivation to help them. He urged the participants to show compassion and empathy, instead of mere sympathy. He also emphasized the Orphan Sponsorship program and said that by spending $600 per annum, or $50 per month you can take care of an orphan. Imam Tarek explains that Prophet Muhammad PBUH said that whosoever will take care of an orphan will be with me in the paradise, like two fingers are together. He further added that helping these brothers and sisters is actually helping our selves in the hereafter, inshaAllah, as this will please Allah swt who promises to multiply the rewards of good deeds in Ramadan Kareem. While you’ll get the tax-deductible receipts from ICNA Relief here, the real rewards and blessings Allah swt will bestow upon you in this holy month of Ramadan Kareem will be innumerable and matchless.
Renowned imam and shaikh, Imam Ahmad Saleem while addressing the participants highlights the importance of giving. He shares insights from holy Quran that how Allah subhana-hu-taala relates piety with spending in the way of Allah. He shared stories of orphan Syrian girls and how vulnerable they are if not protected under a shelter. He urged the participants to earn the pleasure of Allah swt in the holy month of Ramadan Kareem and generously donate to help the brothers and sisters in need. He admired ICNA Relief Canada who was extending the much needed support to the suffering communities across the globe.
Earlier, Br. Javed Abdullah, briefed about ICNA Vancouver chapter’s local activities. ICNA Relief Canada and the services it is rendering in 22 countries since 1997 to serve the cause of humanity. Br. Javed Abdullah briefed about the relief activities domestically and internationally taken up the ICNA Canada Surrey Resource Centre / Food Bank and urged the participants to join hands for the noble cause to serve humanity and support these initiatives which involve local community.
ICNA Relief Canada Vancouver Chapter wants to thank all brothers and sisters who attended the event and those who had intention but couldn’t attend for any reason. We have raised about $35,000 so far and donations are still pouring in, lots of brothers and sisters who could not come to the event and wanted to donate have called after the event. Donation for any of these causes can be made online at icnareliefcanad.ca/donate OR by calling the ICNA Relief Canada Resource Center/Food Bank Surrey BC at +1 (778) 578-3080, OR can write to surreyfb@icnareliefcanada.ca. We are also thankful to all the volunteers for their efforts. May Allah swt give you all the best of reward…Aameen.
