ICNA Relief Canada raises $30K

ICNA Relief Canada (IRC) organized Fundraising Iftar & dinner to raise funds for and for the international and domestic relief programs including the East Africa Famine Relief. The August event was held at the Riverside Signature Banquet Hall in Surrey on June 4,. The formal proceedings of the program started with a beautiful recitation, by Br Farooq Azam, of the holy verses of Surah Al-Baqara from the divine book, Holy Qur’an followed by a nasheed “Allah is Calling you”, prepared by female children volunteers led by Misbah Memon. Later, Br. Ghulam Mustafa, pioneer of the ICNA Relief Canada Resource Center/ Food Bank in Surrey BC, briefed about the domestic and international programs of ICNA Relief Canada and the services it is rendering in 23 countries since 1997 to serve the cause of humanity. He highlighted that ICNA Relief Canada was successful in keeping the administrative and overhead costs as low as 5.53 by engaging hundreds of dedicated volunteers. He said that we ensure that every dollar donated to IRC reaches the deserving people safely and timely with 100 transparency, accountability and dignity. He also outlined the strategy of ICNA Relief Canada. •To assist and empower the people in need, locally and internationally •Develop effective disaster and emergency response domestically & internationally •Donors’ Satisfaction & Trust •Develop highly responsive professional leadership, staff & volunteers •Effectively utilize the means of mass communication The participants of the event received the audited Annual Report 2016 highlighting ICNA Relief’s revenue, program disbursements and expenses in the year 2016 pertaining to the following programs: Domestic Programs: •Syrian Refugee Sponsorship program •Muslim Family Services (MFS) •Food Banks in 10 cities across Canada •Maryam Home (Women’s Shelter) •Emergency Relief and Financial Help (ER) •Seniors Support •Funeral Support •Matrimonial Services •Foster Parenting •Youth Leadership and Development Program (YLDP) International Programs: •Disaster and Emergency Relief •Education for poor and needy •Medical Health Care Program •Water for Life during Drought •Global Zabiha Program •Skill Development program •Orphan Sponsorship Program •Helthcare •Women Empowerment Program The guest speaker Sheikh Ahmed Shahab highlighted the importance of helping these brothers and sisters in need. He shared stories of orphan, needy and deserving East Africans facing starvation and famine. He quoted that we should put ourselves in the shoes of those brothers and sisters who are going through hardship to get the feeling and motivation to help them. He also added that helping these brothers and sisters is actually helping our selves in the hereafter, inshaAllah, as this will please Allah swt who promises to multiply the rewards of good deeds in Ramadan Kareem. While you’ll get the tax-deductible receipts from ICNA Relief, a federally registered charity organization, and Canadian government will match your donations for East Africa Famine Relief, the rewards and blessings Allah swt will bestow upon you in this holy month of Ramadan Kareem will be innumerable and matchless. ICNA Relief Canada wants to thank all brothers and sisters who attended the event and those who had intention but couldn’t attend for any reason. We have raised close to $30,000 in the event on spot and donations are still pouring in, lots of brothers and sisters who could not come to the event and wanted to donate have called after the event. Donation for any of these causes can be made online at icnareliefcanad.ca/donate OR by calling the ICNA Relief Canada Resource Center/Food Bank Surrey BC at +1 (778) 578-3080, or can write to surreyfb@icnareliefcanada.ca. We are also thank all the volunteers including for their efforts, may Allah swt give you all the best of reward….aameen