( by Sr. Nausheena Hussain, a parent at Al-Amal)
One of the hardest obstacles we face as parents is teaching our children the concept of sharing.
But at Al-Amal School, giving to others is a phenomenon, whose seed is planted in children as young as preschoolers, and takes root in building a foundation in philanthropy.
Whether it's to raise money for a classmate's cancer treatment, help those stricken with famine, or provide scholarships to a civic engagement youth program, the students at Al-Amal School go all out to make a difference in this world.
Their talents and innovative ideas motivate even the best of us. Selling calligraphy art, holding a Chuck E Cheese fundraiser, collecting box tops or competing to accumulate the most canned goods for a food drive, describing the effort as amazing, is an understatement.
But the most delicious of them all is the delectable bake sale. Each class seems to pick a cause, donates baked goods, juices, snacks and ice cream, and sells them to fellow classmates, teachers, and parents. They don't take a cut but donate all the money to a worthy cause. On May 18, 2012, Arshia Hussain and her fellow 6th graders, brother and cousins all pulled together a bake sale of great proportions to raise funds for the Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium that the Minnesota Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) plans to hold this summer.
"Philanthropy" means "the love of humanity "-love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." So, youth philanthropy is anything young people do to make the world around them a better place.
In Islam the fourth pillar of Islam is Zakat, sometimes known as charity or almsgiving. It is a very important duty and obligation in the life of the Muslim. Although not yet required for a child to pay Zakat, the seed has taken root and is part of their demeanor, identity, and social responsibility.
Our youth are not only the future generation, the future Ummah, but they are future leaders of our community, the ones who organize and have the power to create social change within the communities we live in.
So, the next time you see a bake sale, stop by and grab a cupcake. Support our young philanthropists.
