IRSA launches Ramadan appeal
With the sacred time of Ramadan fast approaching, humanitarian organisation Islamic Relief South Africa (IRSA) is urging the broader community to contribute towards their iftar programme for orphans and vulnerable children this Ramadan. IRSA country director Ismat Mohamed said they are running a number of small projects and hope to help more impoverished people this year. Last Ramadan, Islamic Relief Worldwide assisted people in more than 25 countries with food parcels, iftar meals as well as the provisions of fitrah parcels on the day of Eid.
“If you look at regions like East Africa, West Africa, Malawi, Zimbabwe and other places, there are a lot of people who cannot break their fast and that why it is important for Islamic Relief to step in and assist. However, this year we intend to increase donations on our Ramadan project, and we hope that the community can assist Insha Allah,’’ he said.During the month of Ramadan, Muslims tend be more generous and giving of their time for the less fortunate.
“Every Muslim always looks forward to Ramadan as it is an important time in the year. It also gives us an opportunity to give to those who do not have and to also assist them, especially with their iftar,” he said. IRSA has various iftaar programmes in South Africa for orphans and vulnerable children. “We support these children throughout the year with these programmes and we also have special programmes for the community as well where we invite them to come and join us giving them an opportunity to interact and learn more about our projects,” he explained.
IRSA will be hosting various events in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg soon to raise funds. “Something that I have also discovered last year was that many of these children look forward to Eid each year and many of them do not have access to proper clothing. That’s why we have a day where we take these orphans to the mall for shopping to get them Eid clothing. And just like we know the value of orphans in Islam, we know them on the day of Eid as well,” he continued.
With Ramadan in the winter season this year, he urged people to donate towards their ‘Winter Warmth’ campaign. This initiative will be running throughout the Ramadan period. “Many of these orphans do not have tracksuits and that’s why we need your assistance to be able to purchase them these items. Many of them have school uniform as well but do not have a winter school uniform and this is another aim that we concentrating on this year,’’ he said, adding that IRSA’s blanket drive and soup kitchens will also be continuing during the winter period.
Mohamed emphasized the importance of supporting the destitute at all times and not just at a certain time of the year. “Many people say that they only spend money in the Ramadan, but what I want to caution to people is to tell them that poor people don’t only starve in the month of Ramadan – and that there are 12 months in a year that they are in need. We ourselves eat food throughout the year and Allah (swt) gives his ragmah and mercy upon us throughout the year, not only with food but also with air and the water that comes down Alhamdulilah. So what we can do is support the needy in return,” he pleaded.
When one funds orphans, they should not only care for them through the month of Ramadan but throughout the whole year, Mohamed said. “We need to feel the pain and see what these people are going through as they need us at all times. This an important message that we cannot ignore. We are hoping to get as much support from the broader community this Ramadan and we are urging you to please contribute towards this good cause. We are not asking for large amount of money but for what you are able to contribute Insha Allah.”
Donations for the IRSA’s Iftar programme are R100, with the Winter Warmth project going for a donation of only R50. Those who would like to donate towards the organisation can contact their main offices on 0800 111 898 or visit their webpage on http://www.islamicrelief.co.za/. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)
“If you look at regions like East Africa, West Africa, Malawi, Zimbabwe and other places, there are a lot of people who cannot break their fast and that why it is important for Islamic Relief to step in and assist. However, this year we intend to increase donations on our Ramadan project, and we hope that the community can assist Insha Allah,’’ he said.During the month of Ramadan, Muslims tend be more generous and giving of their time for the less fortunate.
“Every Muslim always looks forward to Ramadan as it is an important time in the year. It also gives us an opportunity to give to those who do not have and to also assist them, especially with their iftar,” he said. IRSA has various iftaar programmes in South Africa for orphans and vulnerable children. “We support these children throughout the year with these programmes and we also have special programmes for the community as well where we invite them to come and join us giving them an opportunity to interact and learn more about our projects,” he explained.
IRSA will be hosting various events in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg soon to raise funds. “Something that I have also discovered last year was that many of these children look forward to Eid each year and many of them do not have access to proper clothing. That’s why we have a day where we take these orphans to the mall for shopping to get them Eid clothing. And just like we know the value of orphans in Islam, we know them on the day of Eid as well,” he continued.
With Ramadan in the winter season this year, he urged people to donate towards their ‘Winter Warmth’ campaign. This initiative will be running throughout the Ramadan period. “Many of these orphans do not have tracksuits and that’s why we need your assistance to be able to purchase them these items. Many of them have school uniform as well but do not have a winter school uniform and this is another aim that we concentrating on this year,’’ he said, adding that IRSA’s blanket drive and soup kitchens will also be continuing during the winter period.
Mohamed emphasized the importance of supporting the destitute at all times and not just at a certain time of the year. “Many people say that they only spend money in the Ramadan, but what I want to caution to people is to tell them that poor people don’t only starve in the month of Ramadan – and that there are 12 months in a year that they are in need. We ourselves eat food throughout the year and Allah (swt) gives his ragmah and mercy upon us throughout the year, not only with food but also with air and the water that comes down Alhamdulilah. So what we can do is support the needy in return,” he pleaded.
When one funds orphans, they should not only care for them through the month of Ramadan but throughout the whole year, Mohamed said. “We need to feel the pain and see what these people are going through as they need us at all times. This an important message that we cannot ignore. We are hoping to get as much support from the broader community this Ramadan and we are urging you to please contribute towards this good cause. We are not asking for large amount of money but for what you are able to contribute Insha Allah.”
Donations for the IRSA’s Iftar programme are R100, with the Winter Warmth project going for a donation of only R50. Those who would like to donate towards the organisation can contact their main offices on 0800 111 898 or visit their webpage on http://www.islamicrelief.co.za/. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)
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