United Muslim Foundation Welcomes the New Year
January 2007 / Muharram 1428
Salamun Alaikum, Greetings of Peace
Most of us have New Years Resolutions. At UMF, ours is to facilitate at least one volunteer event a month this year to help you get in your community service hours. Remember, there's no limit to the events you attend or the lives you touch.

Volunteering with UMF allows you to work with many Muslims in the community who are actively making a difference and promoting a positive image of Islam in action. None of what we de would be possible without you, because at UMF, we run on volunteer support and your tax- deductible contributions which go to so many worthwhile causes that help to make a difference one small step at a time.

So click on our upcoming events and sign up now before it's too late - spaces fill up fast! The HOO Sort Canned Goods event we're promoting this month is a grand way to begin the Muslim New Year with Action! Feel free to bring family and friends along as well. We look forward to seeing you there, God Willing :)
Reading from the Holy Koran
In the Name of Allah, The Beneficient, The Merciful

Indeed, those who believe (in the Koran), and those who are Jews, and the Christians and the Sabians - any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward from their Lord; on them there shall be no fear, and they shall not grieve.

Holy Koran: Chapter-Al Baqarah, Verse-62
A Time of Giving
United Muslim Foundation donated $2,000 to the Grand Avenue Primary Learning Center, located in the heart of downtown Orlando. The school serves the Holden Heights community, which is comprised of low-to-moderate cost homes, subsidized apartments and a housing project. The school provides services for Educable Mentally Handicapped (EMH), Specific Learning Disabled (SLD), English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), as well as Speech and Language therapy.

Pictured is UMF Officer Omar Belkerdid at the school with a teacher and a few students reiceving their gifts. The money donated by UMF was used to purchase students and their families food, basic living supplies like shoes and toothbrushes and presents for the Holidays.
UMF's 2nd Muslim Girls' Night
United Muslim Foundation hosted it's 2nd monthly Muslim Girls Night program in PA at the Muslim Association of the Lehigh Valley (MALV) on Friday December 8th. The girls got together in a spirit of unity to have fun and discuss pressing issues, such as how to explain non- Muslims about the concept of hijab as well as the book 'Angels and Demons' by Dan Brown.
UMF Teams up with Habitat for Humanity and Salvation Army in the Holiday Spirit
UMF Volunteers faithfully attended as always, the Habitat for Humanity Gift Wrap at the Seminole Towne Center this Holiday Season in FL. Our group this year was a robust round of 5 young men, who buckled up their sleeves and set to work, helping to bring in money to build homes for those in need.

And in PA, United Muslim Foundation teamed up once again with the Salvation Army in PA to assist in a wonderful cause -- to ensure that all underprivileged children and their families would be able to look forward to receiving toys for the holidays. Volunteers worked for three days to help put many smiles on the face of dozens of eager children.

May God Bless all the wonderful volunteers who put their faith into action helping out those in need. Jazak-Allahu Khairan!

In This Issue
Reading from the Holy Koran
A Time of Giving
UMF's 2nd Muslim Girls' Night
UMF Teams up with Habitat for Humanity and Salvation Army in the Holiday Spirit

President's Message
The last year has been a rough one.

Just recently 'A German businessman of Syrian descent who wanted to surprise his daughter with a holiday visit was detained for four days in a Las Vegas holding cell before being sent back home without explanation.' (CAIR) '...reports amount to new and separate allegations of religiously oriented tactics used against Muslim prisoners at the jail (Guantanamo Bay)' (CAIR) Even 'Rep. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, found himself under attack last month when he announced he'd take his oath of office on the Koran -- especially from Virginia Rep. Virgil Goode, who called it a threat to American values.' (CAIR)

Recent polls consistently show us how important it is to be active members of the communities we live in; Clarifying misinformation by explaining our beliefs and living out our lives in faith, where our every action shines out with a grace and beauty that in itself speaks volumes about Islam.

I went to the Middle East a few times this year and enjoyed being around so many Muslims and hearing the call to prayer from different corners. England was beautiful too, with Mosques everywhere and a diverse population of people including many Muslims, even a Muslim woman in Hijab at the immigration desk, and other Muslim officers at the airport. But at the end of the day, I was always pleased to be coming back home, back to my land, a land founded on freedom of religion, a land that I know and believe in time will prove itself to really be a land of Liberty and Justice for all.

Let's pray for and strive to build a better 2007/1428. Ameen!
Upcoming Events
Sort Canned Goods (FL)
9am-Noon, Saturday, January 20, 2007.
 More...
Warm Clothing Collections for the Needy (PA)
Sisters Nausheen Habib and Shelina Kermalli collecting for needy adults and children until the 15th of January
 More...
"The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problem." - Mohandas Gandhi

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