By: Abdul G. Ghaffari
ICNA Relief Canada organized a Fundraising Iftar/dinner for the Turkiye & Syria
Earthquake Relief and Pakistan Flood Relief. The event was held at Reflections Banquet
Hall Convention Center in Surrey on Sunday, March 26, attracted 300 participants who donated almost $40,000. Renowned scholar Sh Daood Butt, Director of Islamic Center Milton, Ontario, and Taha Mao, Director of Domestic Programs, ICNA Relief Canada were keynote speakers.
The program started with a beautiful recitation, by Br Furqan Memon. Sheikh Daood Butt talked about the plight and suffering of earthquakes and floods in Turkiye, Syria, and Pakistan. He urged the participants to earn the pleasure of Allah SWT in the holy month of Ramadan and to generously donate to humanitarian causes.
He admired ICNA Relief for extending support to the suffering humanity through its volunteers effectively on the ground. Sheikh Daood said that we should put ourselves in the shoes of those undergoing hardship to get the feeling and motivation to help them and should show compassion and empathy, instead of mere sympathy. He emphasized the Orphan Sponsorship program and said that by spending $720 per annum, or $60 per month you can take care of an orphan.
Director of Domestic Programs, Taha Mao briefed about ICNA Relief programs and
services spanning 22 countries since 1997. ICNA Relief served more people and
communities than ever before disbursing an amount of $22,857,810 in relief and
humanitarian efforts. Spent $833500 on deserving 11241 families comprising 44250
individuals through its 11 food banks across Canada and served 5000 hot meals to the
homeless. Helped settle 92 refugee families in Canada so far. Provided $84000 to Zakat-deserving. Donated a quarter million dollars to three hospitals. ICNA Relief’s orphan sponsorship program helped over 6000 orphan children who received the support
of about $2.5 million in 13 countries. Almost $500,000 was distributed in 14 countries
before last Eid-ul-Fitr. Spent $160,000 on healthcare projects in India and Syria. Spent
over $1.25 million in response to disaster and emergency relief. Disbursed over
$131,000 and served over 400,000 people fresh meat. Spent about $500,000
ensuring quality education for tens of thousands of children. During 2021, management expenses were only 4.22%, while fundraising expenses were only 4.01%. More than 91.77% of donations were directly spent on programs and deserving people.
Ghulam Mustafa Sajid, Regional VP, of ICNA, urged the participants to donate for the
ICNA Resource Center Surrey Project.
President ICNA Vancouver, Br Abdullah Javed also addressed the event.
Donations can still be made online at icnareliefcanada.ca/donate OR by sending an e-transfer to
VANCOUVER@ICNACANADA.CA.
