Sisters Joining Together for Orphans this Ramadan

Ramadan Mubarak from the 99 Orphan team!  We hope that you are all taking advantage of the blessings of Ramadan and especially of the last ten nights.

We would like to share an inspiring story of a group of sisters from Long Island, NY who have been dedicated to helping out orphans this Ramadan.  The sisters group at the Long Island Muslim Society (LIMS) has spent many hours collecting funds for orphans.  During every taraweeh prayer over the past few weeks, they have tirelessly encouraged others to take advantage of the blessings of Ramadan by helping orphans around the world.  Many of the sisters who had already been sponsoring orphans annually increased their donations for this year.

They have done a tremendous job uniting together to accomplish a common goal.  May Allah reward all of them for their efforts and generosity.

For others who are also interested in helping orphans this Ramadan, it's not too late!  The last ten blessed nights have just begun and we hope that you will be encouraged to feed, clothe and educate parentless children this Ramadan.

Yemen Bake Sale

Assalamualaikum everyone, it's been a while since the last post, but I'm happy to report that we just recently had our first bake sale of the year on May 26.  We were able to raise $2160 thanks to the help from many of our members, who either served or cooked for the Yemen bake sale, and the people who came out to the bake sale, and I want to thank both groups! Inshallah we are going to move ahead in the year and continue our fundraisers. Along with many of the things we have done in the past, such as our tea parties, video game parties, talks with businesses, etc. we are always looking for any other ideas which we could do in order to raise money. We are looking forwards to a great rest of year with your help, thank you.

- Mirac Kekik

A New Year

It feels like it was only a few days ago when the 99 orphan team was in the midst of planning numerous bake sales, our Cupcake Wars competition, a mother-daughter tea party, video game parties and countless other events to raise money for our orphans.  And now, it's a brand-new year, open to delightful new fundraising schemes and hopes.

After three consecutive years of working hard to sponsor 99 orphans around the world, we are yet again embarking on a journey to feed, clothe, and educate parentless children.  As we can assure you, fondly remembering the pleasure we gained from helping children in need, this journey is extremely rewarding.  We sincerely hope that you will join us this year as we set out to reach our goal of helping 99 orphans in 2016.

~ Nur Kose

Success!

Alhamdulillah, after months of fundraising, hosting various events, and working hard to support our 99 orphans around the world, we have finally reached our goal.  

With the blessings of Ramadan and the generous support of donors like you, we were able to raise the entire $59,400 necessary to sponsor the lives of our 99 orphans around the world for a year.  Every bake sale, movie night, and ice cream social, every meeting, every check and dollar bill dropped into a donation box provided an article of clothing for an orphan, helped educate parentless children, and improved the homes of lonely children.  

As Muslims, we are encouraged to care for orphans, and with your help, we were able to accomplish this for yet another year, alhamdulillah.  And for that, on behalf of the 99 Orphan Team, I would like to say Jazakum Allahu Khairan.

~ Nur Kose

President

99 Orphan Team Talking at Tarawih and Distributing Ice Cream

Assalamualaikum!

Ramadan is quickly coming to an end.  In a few more days, we will not have the same opportunities and blessings that we have now.  Together let's continue to take advantage of the few days and nights we do have left.  

The 99 Orphan team will be talking during Tarawih prayers at Masjid Ibrahim (ISD) after 4 rak'ahs.  You will have the opportunity to help orphans while earning immense rewards for yourself.  As a special treat, we will be serving ice cream for everyone at masjid after 8 rak'ahs and after 20.  

Whether you generally attend Tarawih prayers or not, please bless us with your presence tonight to help our orphans and enjoy some yummy ice cream.

~ Nur Kose

Helping Orphans This Ramadan

Helping Orphans This Ramadan
by Ahmed Rab

The 99 Orphans Project hosted by Zakat Foundation of America is a unique venture to fulfill a basic tenant of our religion- charity while engraining the values of the Sunnah in our Ummah's future- the youth. The project works to raise funds to sponsor 99 orphans to ensure they receive quality food, housing, clothing, and education. The beauty of ZF’s Orphan Sponsorship project is that by providing education in addition to the basic needs of each child, ZF works to empower the children to help take positive steps to self-reliance. The organizers of the 99 Orphans Project are all Muslim American youth who are in middle and high school. They have worked tirelessly to come up with innovative ideas to fundraise. Some of their fundraising ideas include bake sales, movie nights, iftar parties, and game nights. With Zakat Foundation, you can assured that the $600 it takes to sponsor each orphan is used exactly what it is intended for- to provide the essentials and education for an orphan child. The project helps sponsor Orphans throughout the world, including countries such as Syria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Palestine, Kenya, and others. The benefit in participating in our program is that not only are we teaching our youth the importance of compassion, empathy, and community service, we are fulfilling an essential component of our Deen – Sadaqah (charity).
In the Quran it says: They ask you, [O Muhammad], what they should spend. Say, "Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it." (Surah Baqarah, Ayah 215).  Another portion of the Qur'an says, "Have you seen the one who rejects [the true spirit] of religion? That is he who repels the orphan. And does not advocate for the feeding of the very poor. Woe to you worshipers! Those who pray yet are heedless. Who only pray to be seen [by men]. But neglect even neighbourly needs."  (107:1-7)  Be part of the 99 Orphans Project before this Ramadan ends and ensure your investment for both this world and the hereafter iA.

99 Orphan Fundraiser Iftar Tonight!

Assalamualaikum!

The 99 orphan team members look forward to seeing you today at the ZF Center (1501 Casho Mill Rd. Newark, DE 19711) for iftar.  We will be serving a delicious meal to you and your family, insha allah.
 We hope that you will be able to sponsor an orphan to gain the blessings of Ramadan and make orphans feel cared for this year.

- 99 Orphan Team