ASSALAM RAMADAN 1440 (2)

“Give charity…for it stands in the way of calamity.” -Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) (This is what is translated in Hausa as “Sadaka Maganin Masifa.”) In continuation of our series on Ramadan and Charity, we today highlight more NGOs and philanthropic organisations making a difference in the lives of the poor (the orphan, the […]

“Give charity…for it stands in the way of calamity.” -Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) (This is what is translated in Hausa as “Sadaka Maganin Masifa.”)

In continuation of our series on Ramadan and Charity, we today highlight more NGOs and philanthropic organisations making a difference in the lives of the poor (the orphan, the widow, the destitute, the vulnerable, etc.) in this blessed month. Iftar Sa’im, i.e. Feeding the Fasting Person, is of course the first qualification of the participating NGOs, but the emphasis is on SUSTAINABILITY, as a hungry fasting person will continue to be a hungry non-fasting person AFTER Ramadan. The intent of this series is therefore to link philanthropists with causes they may want to support fisabililLah, as the NGOs to be featured here will have been vetted by the Columnist (to the best of his ability) in sha Allah, to ensure they are above board. The second entries of the month are below:

ALMANAR WOMEN ASSOCIATION (AMWA) AL MANAR MOSQUE, UNGUWAR RIMI, KADUNA, is a registered NGO with the aim of socio-economic development of women and youths towards self-reliance and moral upliftment for a sound society. Women empowerment is key to the economic, social and moral development of the society. A woman can do all she can to ensure her children succeed. We have four skills acquisition and entrepreneurship centres in areas dominated by the less-privileged. We also organise workshops and lectures on moral issues and entrepreneurship. We give small grants and tools to promising women and girls and monitor their activities to facilitate growth. Out highlights during Ramadan 1440 include AMWA Tafsir for Women at Al Manar Mosque Saturdays and Sundays 9am to 12 noon; AMWA 13th Annual Ramadan Lecture with the theme “The Role of Muslim Women in the Development of Strong Moral Values” to be delivered by Shaikh Adam Muhammad on Sunday 14 Ramadan 1440 (19 May 2019) by 9am at Al Manar Academy Unguwar Rimi, Kaduna. Another unique Ramadan activity is our Ramadan Madrasah for Kids Aged 4 to 12 every Saturday and Sunday 10am to 1pm where children are taught Nasheeds, Calligraphy and other creative arts. We shall also hold a Ramadan Feeding Programme for orphans and widows in Rigasa on Tuesday 16 Ramadan. For more information about AMWA’s activities and how others can help, contact person is RABIATU UMAR ABDULLAHI (AMEERAH) at [email protected] and 08035904108.

“Wealth is not decreased by charity, so give…”-Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

HASKEN AL’UMMA FOUNDATION, DALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, KANO: One of the excitements of every Muslim child during the two Eids (Karamar Sallah and Babbar Sallah) is to wear new clothes on Sallah Day. However, orphans are usually left out of this excitement because their fathers may have died and there’s no one to buy the material and pay the tailor to sew new clothing for them. Allah Sarki! Hasken Al’umma, a registered charity, focuses specifically on providing new clothes for such poor children so as to put happiness in their lives and smiles on their faces. For Ramadan 1440, the first in the series of such Kayan Sallah Distribution Exercise will take place this Sunday 14 Ramadan 1440 (19 May 2019) at the LEA Headquarters of Dala Local Government in Gwammaja, Kano from 10am. A total of 800 orphans (male and female) will be given material (yadi and atamfa) and ‘kudin dinki’ in a public ceremony. Any philanthropist who wants to participate in this ‘aikin lada’ is invited to come and witness the event. On Sallah Day, these children will come out dressed in their new clothing and dresses ma sha Allah like every child who has a father. Alhamdu lilLah. For more information and to participate, contact persons NASIR QASIM (CHAIRMAN) 08063447667 and AISHA AMINU AHALI (FOUNDER) 08165565971 and [email protected].

“Protect yourself from hellfire even by giving a piece of date in charity.” -Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

AL-ILM CHILD TRUST FOUNDATION, A25 GARBA JA ABDULKADIR ROAD, UNGUWAR RIMI, KADUNA: This NGO, which has centres in Kwaru/Badarawa, Rafinguza, Rigasa and Kabala in Kaduna Metropolis, specialises in offering full scholarships to gifted children from low-income families in Kaduna public primary schools, starting with thirteen pupils back in 2012. Its work is funded by donations from members and well-wishers, and is guided by a Board of Trustees. We are very active in community projects in collaboration with our partners Charity To Cheer Foundation, Ilmi House, Water For Sustainable Living (Wafsli), Jamar Health Foundation and Al-Masaakeen. This Ramadan, our focus is on providing clean water for communities and Islamiyyas in collaboration with Wafsli, and also sponsor a food drive for indigent families in our catchment area. Still on education, we co-fund Al-Ihsan Balsuma Academy (which is an orphanage). We also support Gidan Marayu Orphanage in Tirkaniya, Kaduna with food, toiletries and also helped set up a school for the facility. This school serves as a source of income for the orphanage while providing the orphans with an education. This Ramadan, we are also undertaking a goodwill visit to children’s ward at Yusuf Dantsoho Specialist Hospital, Kaduna, to distribute essential food items, pay for drugs, tests, scans, etc, for those who might not be able to afford to do so. For more information about our activities and to donate and/or participate, contact AISHA USMAN SHETTIMA (CHAIRPERSON AND CO-FOUNDER) at [email protected] and 08036192469 tel:+448036192469 or 08032024120.

“God does not look at your forms and possessions but he looks at your hearts and your deeds.” -Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

MUSLIM STUDENTS’ SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (MSSN) BAYERO UNIVERSITY KANO BRANCH, BOTH OLD AND NEW CAMPUSES: Students are usually hard up – and this is especially so during Ramadan. This year’s fasting happens to come at a super-hot time, with temperatures reaching up to 41 degrees in Kano. School is in session so students have to attend all their lectures, walking from one class venue to another, in the scorching sun. Coupled with this is the general lack of electricity, a problem that denies the student even the simple cold Zobo at Iftar time. As it does every Ramadan, MSSN BUK is also this year providing Iftar for hundreds of students, consisting of a hot meal and a cold drink every evening. The MSSN Sisters’ Wing is capable and ever-ready every day to cook the food so as to also participate in this ‘ajr (aikin lada). A very important pointer here is that many non-Muslims students choose Ramadan time to revert to Islam. MSSN takes it upon itself to ‘accommodate’ these Special Muslims with all types of support and encouragement. Any interested donor could bring cooked or raw food items to the two Ummah Mosques on the Old and New Campuses, as well as to the MSSN Centre in the New Campus. Contact persons are AMEER 08036997727 and SECRETARY 07033136908.

“Feed the hungry and visit a sick person…” -Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

“ASSALAM RAMADAN!”: This series on NGOs making a difference in the lives of the poor will run throughout Ramadan. If your NGO is doing such an activity, drop us a 100-word email to [email protected] that answers the “Five W’s and H” of your work. The key words are SUSTAINABILITY (does it extend beyond Ramadan?) and UNIQUENESS (in what way is your activity different?). May Allah list us among the forgiven this Ramadan, amin.