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.