| United Muslim Foundation, Inc. Newsletter
Counting our Blessings this Holiday Season |
November 2007/Dhul Qa'd 1428 |
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Salaam Alaikum, Peace be with you
As the Holiday Season approaches, We are reminded of all the Blessings we have been bestowed with over the last four years at United Muslim Foundation, With God's Grace through Wonderful Supporters like You.
In the the last few months, UMF has been fortunate enough to liaison with numerous affiliates - organizations and individuals - who have joined hands with us in making a huge difference in the lives of so many. We've been to homeless shelters together, made pottery for the hungry, gotten to know one another and work together as a community helping the needy and making lifelong friends along the way.
Our First Eid Picnic in FL. which was sponsored and organized by United Muslim Foundation, Islamic Education Center, Jafaria Islamic Center, Union Sports Club, Khayber Sports Club and the kind contributions of Br. Abbas Abdulhussein was attended by more than 600 people. Our Upcoming Interfaith Thanksgiving Dinner will be hosted in PA where UMF will be cooking 20 Halal Turkeys and preparing a huge meal to share with our Christian neighbors in the Lehigh Valley. We have set up opportunities to dialogue with our Jewish and Christian Brothers and Sisters in Faith, showing the movie Promises and Saint Mary to build bridges of Understanding. These are but a few examples of United Muslim Foundation's activities, as we constantly strive to strengthen the Spirit of Unity in our communities.
UMF is also blessed to now have an Operations Co-Ordinator. Br. Haitham Mellouli was born in Sfax, Tunisia and has lived in many parts of the world including Norway, Sudan, and the United States. Haitham is a Finance/Pre-Law Student and has been very involved in the Muslim and non-Muslim community serving with many organizations and in leadership positions. It is a pleasure to have him on board the UMF Action team.
As you watch this slideshow which highlights the events we have organized and been a part of in just the last few months, I invite you to reflect on what UMF means to you and how you can help us better Promote Unity, Education and Charity. We rely on your contributions, both monetary and through volunteering to help us make a difference one step at a time and promote a true and positive image of Muslims. Every Contribution is tax-deductible and Volunteer hours recognized in Seminole County for Community Service Hours.
Please keep us in your prayers this Holiday Season and have a Blessed Thanksgiving.
Peace.
Masuma Virji
Executive Director. |
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Thanksgiving Dinner
Allentown PA
On Thursday, November 22nd, at 5 pm, United Muslim Foundation and the United Methodist Church of Easton are putting together an interfaith Thanksgiving Dinner.
This event is meant to unite Christians and Muslims during this holiday while feasting on a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner. We are looking for volunteers to help cook our 18 turkeys, so if you are interested, please contact kulsum@unitedmuslimfoundation.org
This event is open to everyone, and it is free, but monetary donations are welcome. Hope to see you all there, and don't forget to bring your appetite! |
Aid for 4 year old Iraqi Boy
 The Rotary Club recently contacted the United Muslim Foundation and requested some assistance in the case of an Iraqi boy who will be coming to the U.S soon. The boy is 4 years old and will be arriving in the U.S probably sometime in late November or early December for surgery. He will be accompanied by a female chaperon (mother or cousin) and they will be residing in PA for three to six months-during which the boy will spend most of his time at Lehigh Valley Hospital for his procedure. Medical and surgical care will be provided by Lehigh Valley Hospital and LV Physicians group. When they arrive here they will need translation services as well as housing, which can be split up among various households for their duration of stay. Their primary language is Arabic, with limited English comprehension. UMF has a certified letter by the Rotary Club verifying the case of the Iraqi boy. If you are able to help out in any way, please contact shelina@unitedmuslimfoundation.org immediately as this is an urgent matter. |
UMF's 4th Girls Night Out
UMF's 4th Girls' Night program will be a Cultural Fest, celebrating the diversity of Muslims within our Islamic community. This event is scheduled to be held on Friday, Dec. 14th, at 6:30pm, insha-Allah. The location is still to be confirmed. Stay updated with e-mails for further details on this event. To register and for more information, please contact nausheen@unitedmuslimfoundation.org.
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"Muslim Youth" Camp
December 29-31, 2007
The Islamic Circle of North America is hosting a youth camp this year at Wekiwa state park in Apopka, Florida. This youth camp will teach the young (8-18) leadership and environmental skills. Its focus is on Islam on nature, conservation, and preservation. It will include fun activites and will integrate many learining experiences and life-long friendships. To get your children involved you can contact camping@icnafl.com or got to http://www.icnafl.com/events.html.
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Humanatarian Day
UMF, ILM Foundation and Islamic Relief Join Hands
The 1st Annual Humanitarian Day was held in Philadelphia, PA on September 30th, 2007 with a purpose to serve and provide 1,000 homeless individuals with food, clothing, medical aid, and social services.
UMF co-sponsored this event, organized by Islamic Relief & the ILM Foundation and volunteers of all ages travelled to Philadelphia for a truly rewarding time giving help to people in need.
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Feeding the homeless
UMF at Salvation Army
On Sunday October 28th, several volunteers cooked up a delicious meal for needy individuals and families in the Allentown area. UMF teamed up with the Salvation Army and served lunch to about 50 people, which was received with many compliments. This is the third year in which UMF and the Salvation Army have collaborated to provide a hot lunch to the less fortunate.
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Union Golfers Win First Place
International Golf Tournament to benefit the AACC.
Toward Building Bridges of Unity between Communities, United Muslim Foundation and Union Sports club jointly sponsored 12 Union golfers who participated in the last weekend's Arab American Community Center held at the prestigious Grande Pines Golf Course.
Out of 64 participants, our two teams took the first and third positions.
After the round of golf, players huddled for dinner at the clubhouse. Among the guests present during the ceremonies was the Ambassador of Palestine to the United Nation the honorable Riyad Mansour who flew down from New York to attend the ceremonies.
Union golfers have appeared on the cover of the current newsletter of the AACC and the article on the tournament. |
Ramadan Booksale
UMF Fundraiser
This past Ramadhan, UMF hosted a children's Islamic book sale in three msques in PA. alhumdulillah raising $500 and creating an opportunity for many children to benefit from these educational resources.
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Gift Wrapping for Christmas
Help Children in Need Enjoy the Holidays!
UMF is calling on all volunteers to help wrap gifts for children on Monday, November 26th - Friday November, 30th from 5:00-7:00pm at Kids House of Seminole, Children's Advocacy Center. Over 200 children attend the Holiday Party each year and every child receives at least one gift. This is a wonderful opportunity to come out and help our neighbors in the Sanford area, located right around the corner from the HIC. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us at info@unitedmuslimfoundation.org to register.
During the month of December, UMF will be assisting Pinebrook Services and helping to wrap gifts at Lehigh Valley Mall. Dates and timings Are December 2, 7 from 6-9 pm. Please contact Sr. Shelina Kermalli at Shelina@unitedmuslimfoundation.org to register and for further inquiries. |
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Bilding Bridges of Peace & Understanding Muslim, Christians, and Jews Unite
 
On November 19th, a UMF-sponsored screening of the documentary Promises was at Rollins College for the campus community. The event was organized with the goal of building bridges between the Muslim and Jewish student organizations on campus which worked together on planning for the night.
The movie, which follows the lives of seven Israeli and Palestinian children, offers a refreshing, human and sometimes humorous portrait of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The event was also attended by a Rabbi and a Representative Imam from CAIR.
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Have you ever wondered what Muslims believe about Mary and Jesus? 'Saint Mary', is a movie based on the Muslim story of Prophet Isa's blessed mother, of whom the Holy Koran says: "Behold! the angels said: "O Mary! God hath chosen thee and purified thee - chosen thee above the women of all nations."
If you would like to hold a screening of either Promises or Saint Mary at your School, Chruch, Synagogue or Organization, please contact us at info@unitedmuslimfoundation.org.
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| UMF Arabic Classes
Holiday Production
UMF is planning for a special Arabic production for Eidul Adha to show off the talent of our 29 wonderful students who have been working so hard over the last 4 months at learning Arabic, and Everyone is invited! This production will take place from 4:0pm -5:00pm in Sr. Sajida Nathani's Classroom at Lake Mary High School on Wednesday, Dec. 12th, insha-Allah.
A Fundraiser Bakesale will follow the enetertainment, so bring a sweet tooth too:)
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Project Downtown Orlando
Come Out and make a Difference!
On Oct 2th, Generous UMF donors prepared rice for almost 100 people and volunteers took it to Project Downtown Orlando to feed the needy.
On Nov 9th, UMF and SCC MSA visited the Homeless at Project Downtown Orlando to donate a truckload of clothes to the needy.
Volunteers from different walks of life go to Masjid Al-Haq at the center of Downtown Orlando to feed the homeless one Saturday Morning every 2 weeks. We would like to encourage volunteers to participate in this very worthwhile opportunity to directly impact and make a difference in the lives of people. Donations for food and clothing are greatly appreciated and are tax-deductible when made out to United Muslim Foundation and sent to:P.O. Box 952934, Lake Mary, FL 32795-2934.
Collections for Food, Clothes and Money are Ongoing, so Please Donate Generously.
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ALI Outreach
Pilgrimige to Mecca - A Journey of a Lifetime
ALI OUTREACH will be holding a special program "Pilgrimage to Mecca-The Journey of a Lifetime" at Seminole County's Northwest Branch Library InshAllah on the following dates:
1) Friday December 7, 2007 from 3:30-4:30 for ages 5-11 (For Girls and Boys)
2) Saturday December 15, 2007 from 3:00-4:30 for ages 12 and up. (For Girls only)
ALI OUTREACH will also be conducting the program "Pilgrimage to Mecca-The Journey of a Lifetime" at local schools, colleges, universities, and libraries in Florida. This program will consist of a 30 minute PowerPoint presentation on the Rituals of Hajj. ALI is encouraging youths and parents, especially youths in Middle and High School, to help us facilitate this presentation by talking to their teachers about it and requesting permission for us to talk to their students. The presentation will be a cultural, informative one and not religious. Interested teachers might be those who teach World History, Social Studies, World Religions or even at the upcoming teach in. It could fit into current events, or as part of a unit on Holidays around the world.
For more information please email alioutreach@gmail.com. |
UMF Eid Picnic Blast
UMF, IEC, JIC, Union Sports and Khayber Sports Celebrate Eid Together
On Eidul Fitr weekend this year in Orlando, 5 organizations and 600 people came together in a spirit of unity to enjoy a day of fun and delicious BBQ. Children played on bouncehouses and got their faces painted and henna on their little hands, while the adults enjoyed basketball and the beautiful scenery. Children were gifted goodie bags and ladies with lovely scented perfumes as they left a day that was filled with special memories of time spent with family and friends.
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| Empty Bowls Project
Making Bowls for the Needy
On October 25th, UMF volunteers - both kids and adults, got down and dirty at The Art Sudio of Lake Mary fashioning bowls from clay to give the hungry. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to create unique, one of a kind works of art, while at the same time, helping to give something special to the homeless.
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