By: Mujahid Ahmed
Islamic Relief Canada Hosts Annual Grand Iftaar for Orphans in Need. Surrey, British Columbia – Islamic Relief Canada hosted their annual Grand Iftaar at Surrey Riverside Banquet Hall, Sunday April 17th, with keynote speakers Mufti Aasim Rashid and Ustadh AbdelRahman Murphy from Qalam Institute in Dallas, Texas.
Islamic Relief Canada hosted its staple Ramadan event for the first time in two years after pandemic restrictions eased for British Columbia. Apart from fundraising for orphans, the venue hosted a series of displays where families can enjoy their time and be educated about Islamic Relief’s work at home. Upon entry guests were met with Disaster Response Coordinators controlling the crowd and handing masks, and a series of outfits that corresponded with the ways people can volunteer with the organization. It should be noted that 90% of Islamic Relief’s volunteer base locally is 18-25.
With the help of Allah and support of the community and 450 attendees, the fifteen minute fundraiser by the former CEO of Islamic Relief Canada and staffer from Islamic Relief UK, was able to support 301 orphans annually, and fundraised enough for a micro dam in Africa that will support thousands every month.
Islamic Relief’s 1:1 orphan sponsorship program provides sustainable support through medical care, higher education, and monthly support for necessities. A yearly subscription for each orphan includes reports carried by local field offices for safeguarding and who also carry out assessments of the orphan’s livelihood situation prior to distributing funds, and the ability to visit the orphans/ forward gifts throughout the year (free of overhead costs). A special shoutout to our sponsors, Chaiiwala of London, Cheema Strategies, A1 Ideal Homes, 777 Pizza and Saeed Ahmed (Realtor). For more information in regards to the orphans sponsorship program (which is zakat eligible), and other projects by Islamic Relief Canada, please visit islamicrelief.ca/orphan
