Monday, August 24, 2009
Leading international charity Muslim Aid issued a special Ramadan appeal today asking for donations/zakat to support thousands of people the charity supports across 54 countries. Launching 2009 Ramadan Campaign, Sir Iqbal Sacranie, the Chairman of Muslim Aid, said, " through Zakat, Sadaqah and Zakat ul-fitr, Muslim Aid will provide food packages for the needy as part of its global food and Nutrition Programmes and the 2009 Campaign to Feed the Fasting." The chief guest at the launch was Sadiq Khan MP, the Minister of State in the Department for Transport.
Among many other distinguished guests present were diplomats from Pakistani, Kosovan and Malaysian embassies, representatives from many NGOs and Tanzim Wasti, Secretary of Muslim Aid. Sir Iqbal elaborated in his welcome speech: "Donations received in Ramadan enable us to reach people in the remotest villages from Cambodia to Zimbabwe and from Indonesia to Iraq, providing iftars (opening of fast) and sahoor (closing of fast) to the needy. Last year the Zakat, Sadaqa and Zakat-ul-fitr received from donors provided a lifeline to thousands of people during Ramadan."
To enable some of the poorest people to enjoy the blessings of the holy month of Ramadan, Sir Iqbal said Muslim Aid has allocated �448,500 this year to its Ramadan programme to provide meals and food packages to people in over 54 countries. Appealing to Muslims to help Muslim Aid in its mission to end the global poverty, Sir Iqbal explained this year's theme, 'What will YOU give this Ramadan?' The charity's mission could be helped through zakat giving, volunteering for the charity, praying and sadaqah. He also said that current times amidst economic crises were hard for people but he hoped that the hardships will not deter people from their religious and moral obligations to help those in urgent need of care.
Minister Sadiq Khan praised the work of Muslim Aid by stating that the charity was dedicated to working for the needy, irrespective of their faith and origin and it is this humanitarian spirit that made it essential for everyone to support the charity in its efforts. He said that the UK government regarded Muslim Aid as one of the highly professional and non-partisan charities and that was the reason why the government supported Muslim Aid's humanitarian initiatives. The Minister also said: "Let's pause and reflect over the last few years, how many hundreds and thousand of families, widows and orphans have been given sustenance by the generosity of Muslim Aid's donors but at the same time imagine the Blessing people have received, whether it's by the hours you have given as a volunteer or whether it is through the pounds and pence that you give.
" Mr Wasti, Secretary of Muslim Aid, concluded the launch with thanking the distinguished guests present and for the support given to Muslim Aid's activities.
Source: Muslim Aid, August 24, 2009