Salaam Alaikum. I'm Shelina Kermalli, UMF's Vice President and I really enjoy being part of an organization that provides many opportunities for individuals to volunteer and share the message of Islam. I love how dynamic the organization is and how the officers I work with are always looking for different
ways to serve the community and become more efficient.
Last year we initiated our first large-scale charity carnival in PA, which I was a big part of, called "Fair for Care". Planning for this event started at the beginning of last year, when UMF decided there was a need to raise money for the victims for the Pakistan earthquake. The Fair for Care idea was born as the objectives of the carnival event corresponded to all of UMF's objectives:
Inviting Shias and Sunnis to promote unity;
Welcoming non-Muslims and providing Islamic information to educate them about Islam;
and Fundraising money to serve humanity.
UMF works closely with local Mosques, who were helpful in advertising the fair via posting flyers and making announcements. Dedicated UMF volunteers, ranging from 11 years and up worked hard, spending countless hours to set up games, presentations, banners and get everything ready for the carnival. Flyers were distributed in New York and New Jersey too, making the attendance at this carnival a truly tri-state event!
Despite the rain forcing us to postpone the Fair for Care by a day, Alhamdu-lil-Lah we managed to raise about $1,500 for the Pakistan Earthquake victims, promote unity and spread a greater awareness and understanding about our Holy Prophet's character. This event was so successful that Alhumdulillah, it is back this year even bigger and better, insha-Allah!
We look forward to seeing you at UMF's Fair for Care this year, as we gear up for another day of fun and games, and collecting toward helping orphans in Iraq.
UMF would like to congratulate Shelina Kermalli on graduating summa cum laude with her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education this summer. |
| This Month's UMF Sponsor
ALLSTATE INSURANCE
ALTAF KARIM, CPA
407-718-3449
AUTO INSURANCE
HOME INSURANCE (UNIVERSAL, CYPRESS, ROYAL PALM, ST JOHNS AND CITIZENS)
TERM LIFE INSURANCE
HEALTH INSURANCE(FULL COVERAGE AND SUPPLEMENT PLANS)
MUTUAL FUNDS
IRA (TRADITIONAL , ROTH AND COVERDALL IRA)
DISABILITY INSURANCE
SERVING THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY FOR OVER 9 YEARS |
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June 5th is Hunger Awareness Day in the United States. 35.1 million people-including 12.4 million children-live in households that experience hunger or the risk of hunger. This represents more than one in ten households in the United States (11.0 percent).
Please encourage all of your family and friends to do their part to eradicate hunger in this country and the world by participating in local anti-hunger events. This week at SoundVision.com, you can find tips for yourself, your family and your community on how to help. You'll also encounter harrowing hunger statistics as well as the true story of a Muslim sister who suffered homelessness after years of trying to feed the needy.
And don't forget the random acts of kindness that help every day, like helping to pay for a child's lunch, when they've left their lunch money at home, or offering to pay for that one more grocery item at the checkout isle when the person in front of you does not have enough cash to buy the item they need.
And easiest of all, add the Hungersite to your home page and remember to click on it daily for free to give 1.1 cup of staple food to the hungry... it's that easy and it makes a big difference in the life of a starving person. Click on the image now to start giving! | |
 Inspirational Reading
"And remember We took a covenant from the Children of Israel (to this effect): Worship none but God; treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and practice regular charity. Then did ye turn back, except a few among you, and ye backslide (even now)."
- The Holy Qur'an 2:83 |
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 Salaam Alaikum, Peace be with you
Last month United Muslim Foundation was blessed to be a part of bringing unity to our community, alhamdulil-Lah, as not only did UMF sign the Shia/Sunni Code of Honor, but put unity into action with a Youth Intrafaith BBQ and a special 'Iron Chef Cook-off' that was a smashing success!
This summer we have many more exciting affairs planned, like our fantastically fun annual Fair for Care, proceeds of which this year will go toward Helping Orphans in Iraq, as well as other great events that you can read about in this issue, and better yet, be an active part of!
We would like to remind all interested in applying that our annual student scholarship, final application deadline is July 15th, 2007. Start collecting your community service hours with us.
Membership is free.
We're making a difference one step at a time. . |
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UMF's First Youth Networking BBQ a Smashing Success
On Friday, May 18th. United Muslim Foundation held the first ever Muslim Youth Networking Bar-B-Q in Orlando in conjunction with Br. Abdullah Zeini and the 'Yoot Group'. This event featured an Iron Chef Cookoff, in which the boys' and girls' teams created delicious grilled delicacies on a time limit which were then judged on taste, presentation and other specific criteria. While both teams worked hard and fast gruelling over the grills and happily chopped and skewered with their team members, it was the girl's team that emerged victorious with the judges!
 
Almost 150 youths from the Sunni, Shia Ithnasheri and Ismaili communities attended and had fun relaxing post-exams, getting to know one another and playing basketball, volleyball and tennis together, while children ran and played on the slides and swings at the park. Asr, Maghrib and Isha prayers were offered in congregation at the park and canned food was collected for the needy.
Everyone pitched in to make the event a smashing success; from directing traffic, to grilling delicious chicken and bringing sides as well as helping to clean up after the event was done .
  The event was a huge
The event was a huge hit alhamdulil-Lah, and will insha-Allah be back next year by popular demand! |
Helping our Neighbors at Kids House of Seminole County.
Kids House will be holding a volunteer orientation on Thursday June 7th at 7pm. This is a perfect opportunity to go over and help our neighbors in Sanford and show them the truly caring spirit of Islam.
At the orientation you will be introduced to Kids House and the work they do as well as go over volunteer opportunities, policies and procedures at Kids House.
If you are interested in volunteering with Kids House e-mail info@unitedmuslimfoundation.org to confirm. If you are interested but can not attend please let us know and we will be sure to invite you to future orientations. |
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Volunteers Needed to help with Tampa Arson Zip-Code Da'wah Project
Last issue, we highlighted the severe damage caused by the Tampa mosque arson. This damage, was not only structural, but shook the very foundations of an entire neighborhood and the Muslim congregation that worships there, with it's hateful intent.
To help, UMF is donating $500 to the mosque and more importantly, we are attempting to contribute to dispelling misconceptions about Islam within the neighborhood of the mosque by reaching out to the entire mosque zip code, sending out brochures on Islam and and an open invitation to find out more, in an effort to help make the neighborhood a safe place to live and worship.
We need your help to package the information in envelopes, stamp and mail them out, by the tens, or even hundreds!
Any little you can do will help a great deal, and whatever contribution you make, tax-deductible, will be greatly appreciated to help us cover the cost of this project.
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CAIR-ORLANDO's 3RD ANNUAL BANQUET
When: Saturday, August 18th, 2007 at 6:00pm
Where: Orange County Convention Center, West Building 9800 International Drive; Orlando, FL 32819
Speakers:
Keynote Speaker Dr. Abdul Hakim Jackson, professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Michigan, Imam Siraj Wahhaj, spiritual leader of Al Taqwa Mosque, NY, Comedian Mohammed Amer.
Volunteers needed for marketing, baby sitting, registration, ushers, decoration, set up or clean up team.
CAIR will provide free dinner for volunteers at the banquet and volunteers can watch the comedy show for free!
Volunteers will also be given certificates of appreciation and can also accumulate community service hours, applicable to UMF's scholarship!
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Hilton/Perkins Program for the Blind
A unique partnership between the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and Perkins School for the Blind has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of deafblind or blind children with multiple disabilities around the world since 1989, and UMF is opening up a fund to help.
"We provide the training, materials, and technical assistance that empower teachers and administrators to develop and manage independent, self-sustaining programs in their own countries," said Michael Collins, director of Perkins International Program. "The international assistance we bring to developing countries also serves as leverage to generate support from local governments and donors. Over ninety percent of the funding for international programs comes from local resources."
Collins added, "The need is so great. We estimate that only five percent of the children in developing countries who could benefit are now receiving services. Our hope is that other donors-both foundations and individuals-will want to support Perkins' international programs so that more schools can open and more children will be helped."
Our aim is to collect $50,000 toward the cause, to enable Hilton/Perkins Program to open up a new training program in Kuwait, where Muslim and non-Muslim expatriate and local children can be helped alike. We request you to close your eyes and think about the lives of children who are born blind, or those who cannot see.
Every dollar, dinar and pound counts. Please donate generously. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made to United Muslim Foundation via credit card by calling (407) 474-3156 or by mailing a check specified for the cause to
United Muslim Foundation:
P.O.Box 952934
Lake Mary, FL. 32795-2934
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Summertime Arabic Classes
While UMF's teacher's are training hard over the summer to get ready for the school year Arabic Instruction Program, Mrs. Maha Hussain, a teacher from the Muslim Academy is offering Summer Arabic Classes through UMF, to give your kids or teens a jumpstart into the Arabic Language.
For more information, please contact Maha at 407 595 7676 or 407 366 6645. | |
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