New UMF Logo
Salaam Alaykum ,
January 2011
Muharram 1432
The holiday season is a great time to give back to the community and remember those less fortunate than ourselves. In a season where gift-giving is prominent, it's important to remember that not all have the means to earn, provide, gain or even survive. You can make a significant difference at UMF by a very small contribution that will go a long way in those who are hungry and homeless, those who suffer from sicknesses and diseases, those who do not have a means to finance their education, those that are abused and orphaned, those that are disabled and elderly, and even those who just need a smile. Your donation helps sustain our Hungerteam Committee, Gleaning Board & Welfare Team, scholarship and unity programs, educational seminars, and all other activities that help make a difference in our society. Join our mission in aiding the less fortunate, in bridging gaps under humanity, in lifting financial burdens from students, and most of all, in restoring lives everyday.

Please consider making a tax-deductible gift to support UMF. Remember, Every Dollar Makes a Difference.

Your donation can be made by any of the following methods:
  1. Donate online here
  2. Mail your contribution to P.O Box 952934, Lake Mary, FL 32795 
  3. Call us at 407.233.6046 to make a gift by phone

Thank you for your continuous support this past year and the many opportunities you will provide to UMF this year. I hope you and your family have a safe, blessed and Happy New Year!


Sincerely,

Zainab Merchant

Executive Director

What's exciting in this Issue?
:: Project UMF Hungerteam
:: National Day of Homelessness
:: Submission and Sacrifice Interfaith Event
:: Thanksgiving Interfaith Service
:: Quicklinks
UMF FL

Hungerteam: Feeding the Homeless
Feeding
 
The December 18th event at the Sanford Outreach Rescue Mission was a very successful event that started at 9.30am with three volunteers and by 11.00am we had about 18 to 20 volunteers - everyone from Seminole High School Students to Seminole High School Teachers and Parents, as well as UMF officers and directors - all joining hands to make breakfast and serve it both outside and inside the shelter. 

It was a rainy day, but the event was more than great, as we served about 60 to 78 people breakfast with hot pancakes, scrambled eggs, bagels, home-made cookies, and hot coffee.

We also had all the Seminole High School students and volunteers clean the laundry room and organize the pantry and the kitchen cabinet, as well as mop the floors... just before Chrismas. By the Grace Of God all went very well
and all had a good time doing it.     

-Zainab Alidina, Hungerteam

Feeding
If you have any questions please contact UMF at (407)233-6046 or email [email protected]
UMF Eid Luncheon
 
In stormy weather, a celebration took place on November 26th after Juma Prayers at Golden Dynasty Restaurant. It was a wonderful evening among friendly faces, delicious indo-chinese food and an atmosphere filled with laughter and camaraderie. This Eid Luncheon was in spirit of celebrating UMF's achievements, extending invitation to its supporters, donors, UMF Board, UMF Officers, key volunteers and all those who dedicated their time and commitment to helping our the past few months. Over sweet and aromatic Ras Malai, some of the guests gave impromptu speeches on their perspectives of UMF, and how the cause could be furthered at greater levels. Thank you to all those who were able to attend.

lunch
Other Organizations

 ISNA East Zone Conference: Jan 7-9

ISNANurturing Compassionate Communities: Connecting Faith and Service

Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center (1950 Eisenhower Blvd. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316)

Event Includes: Sessions on the Seerah of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Spiritual Development, Leadership, Youth, Community Development, Family, Interfaith and Intra-Faith relations, Saturday evening banquet with keynote address, Childcare, and more!

REGISTER NOW!
Click here for more information.
 Our Families, Our Future: January 15

 Muslim American Society - Tampa

Upcoming Event:
MAS Youth & MSA Dawah Workshop
Saturday, January 22, 2011 at USF Marshall Student Center.  For more information, please contact [email protected] or St. Julia Lopez at [email protected]

Weekly MAS Tampa Events:
-Lighthouse Academy: Middle School Arabic Program: Every Saturday from 10:30am-3:30pm
-Girl Scouts: Every other Sunday from 10am-12pm
-MY Connect: Intensive weekly educational and activism program.  Sisters meet Mondays at 6pm; brothers meet Thursdays at 6pm
-Beginners Arabic Course: Every Wednesday at 8:00pm at USF

MAS Tampa

For more information, including regis
tration instructions and full details about all activities, please visit www.mastampa.org
 Al-Maghrib: The Prophet's Smile

Al-Maghrib
Friday 1/28 - Sunday 1/30
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista
(Previously Regal Sun Resort)

1850 Hotel Plaza Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32830


Qabeelat Noor is proud to present, back by popular demand, Shaykh Yaser Birjas returning to Orlando to teach us about one of the most heart moving classes AlMaghrib has to offer... The Prophet's Smile.

Join us for this single weekend class where Shaykh Yaser will focus on our beloved Prophet pbuh and explore his emotions, stories, and life lessons. InshAllah it will fit into everyone's schedule because this class will be sure to put a smile on your faceClick here to register and find out more.

Financial Aid Form (Deadline - Jan 5, 2010)
UMF PA

National Day of Homelessness: Candlelight Vigil
Candlelight vigil
A survey conducted earlier this year revealed that in a single night in our area 49 individuals were found sleeping outside in the cold, and 544 persons were identified as homeless in Lehigh and Northampton Counties.
Candlelight vigil
To raise awareness about these unfortunate statistics and do our part to help turn the tide of homelessness, UMF volunteers joined a candlelight vigil on Sunday, December 19th, in Allentown to mark "National Day of Homelessness".  Donations of socks, T-shirts, mittens, scarves, hats, food, etc., for the area homeless were accepted, and the donations will be shared with local ministries serving the homeless.  Readings from sacred Scriptures -- including the Bible, Torah, and Qur'an -- and prayer were included in the event, as was a touching personal story from a man who lived in homelessness and struggled through that experience.  We pray that a day will come when no-one remains in that situation and every person has a place they can call their "home".
Submission and Sacrifice: Interfaith Panel 

 

On Saturday, December 11th, UMF and Al-Ahad Islamic Center teamed up to hold an Interfaith panel on the topic of "Submission and Sacrifice: Imam Hussein's Quest for Justice".

 

Speakers included:
Dr. Mustafa Mawji, Visiting Scholar from London, who spoke on the message and sacrifice of Imam Hussein.

Rev. Leslie Kearney, Pastor at Olivet-Schwenkfelder UCC of Norristown,  
who spoke on the Christian perspective of sacrifice and the parallels between the sacrifice of Imam Hussein and those of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ.

El-Hajj Mauri Saalakhan, Director of the Peace and Justice Foundation, who spoke on human rights and standing up against oppression, following in the message of Imam Hussein.

The day began with Qur'an recitation and a short poem on the tragedy of Kerbala, and concluded with prayer and dinner.


Interfaith
InterfaithInterfaith
Thanksgiving Eve Interfaith Service 

 

 Interfaith


UMF PA was honored to be represented at this 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Eve Interfaith Service hosted by Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Allentown, PA.  

 

Br. Mohamedhusain Rajmohamed spoke at the event on behalf of UMF, and shared the Islamic perspective of the importance of and what it means to give thanks to our Creator.  

 

Other speakers also shared words of thanksgiving from members of the Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities.



Can-Aid Africa:
International Volunteer Program

 

Can Aid AfricaDid you know that...

43% of children in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have safe, accessible drinking water?  (UNICEF)

64% of children in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have adequate sanitation? (UNICEF)

Only 57% of African children are enrolled in primary education, and 1 in 3 of those does not complete school?  (Africa 2015)

Between 12 and 14 million African children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS? (World Bank/UNICEF)

 

VOLUNTEER IN AFRICA 2011
Schools/Orphanages/Hospitals

This program is the perfect short-term international experience, designed with flexibility and individual attention in mind so we can meet your needs and interests. 
For more information, visit http://volunteer.canaidafrica.com/
 Muslim Congress On-Going Events

No More Hunger
On the first Friday of every month, Muslim Congress sponsors a dinner at the Women and Families Center of the Coalition for Homeless Orlando.  Volunteers take part in preparing and serving a halaal meal to those less fortunate.  We invite all to come and take part in this service. Contact [email protected] to find out how you can start this program in your city.  A video of the most recent event can be found here.

Self Building
To help the Muslims in North America improve their knowledge and spiritual level, every Saturday at 11am (est) Muslim Congress hosts a Self Building discussion with an alim.  To join in, call 218-844-8230 access code 364470, or watch live here.  To register for weekly emails contact [email protected]
new shariah

What does UMF do with your donations?


UMF relies on your financial support to sustain its activities including sponsoring food/clothe drives for the needy, events for the purposes of unity, academic seminars to educate Muslims and non-Muslims alike on various subjects and eradicate misconceptions about Islam, disaster relief projects and helping other organizations monetarily in carrying out their good work on the basis of charity, education, and unity.

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