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| October 2013
Dhu Qada'h 1434
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 Salaam Alaikum, Peace be with you
It's that time of year again: Thanksgiving.
Although Thanksgiving is always a special holiday to express gratitude, we must remember to be grateful every single day of our lives (not just one out of the whole year), especially when it comes to thanking our Creator for the bounties and blessings we experience on a daily basis. At this pivotal junction, we at UMF would like to take this time to thank all of our supporters, advisers, and volunteers for everything and every way you have contributed to UMF's success. UMF is the success it is today, thanks to your faith, hard work and continual support; so thank YOU, every single one of you! We would also like to extend our gratitude to Shane Hasham, who was kind enough to design United Muslim Monthly's new logo and join our volunteer team as chief graphic designer. Brothers and Sisters, please remember to give generously during this time of gratitude. We at UMF do all we can to serve our community, but we need your help to keep doing it. Give with open hearts and insha'Allah (God willing), God will bless all of us beyond our wildest dreams.
Sincerely, Sara Beg United Muslim Monthly Editor |
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UMF HungerTeam Surprises & Delights
This past HungerTeam feeding was a great one, as we got to celebrate the birthday of an amazing girl, Mikaila, as she turned 11 years-old. She was so surprised that a total stranger remembered her birthday that she had tears in her eyes as HungerTeam volunteers sang for her. She was so happy, she had a smile on her face the whole morning.
We'd also like to thank our Seminole High School Interact Club who did an amazing job making baskets of treats for all the children and made their day by playing with them outside.
As always, volunteers worked hard to make the delicious breakfast and, I'm glad to add, we had a great crew to help out this time, thanks to my daughter, Aliya Alidina Lyons, and the other kids she brought to the shelter to help out.
UMF is proud to be recognized by Seminole County for community service hours; community service hours can be applied to Bright Futures and UMF Scholarships.
Halloween is a special time for the kids to have fun, and we're so glad that this year we got to see these kids enjoy themselves and forget every negative circumstance.
Zainab Alidina
Hungerteam Director
Sign up here to check out our Hungerteam Breakfast and Birthday Club schedule for monthly feedings or to help with ongoing projects to help nurture homeless children, both mind and body, and to work with local schools to make sure the needs of homeless children are met. We invite community and school clubs and other organizations to join us so that together we can make a Big Difference, one Small Step at a time :)
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HungerTeam gets honored!
UMF Hungerteam was invited as a special guest to attend the servant's luncheon this week, honoring all those who have donated and made a difference to the Rescue Outreach Mission of Sanford, which houses and feeds the needy. Pictured below is Director of the Rescue Outreach Mission with UMF Directors and volunteers (our youngest is only a few months old, MashaAllah!)
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UMF Guides is going to the N-A-T-I-O-N-A-L-S!
Last weekend, 3 of our UMF Guides participated in the Florida State Level Muslim Spelling Bee in Tampa. UMF recognizes our champions: Miqdad Jaffer, Ali Peera and Siraj Virji with the highest level Guides purple pin for representing UMF Guides at the Bee.
We are very excited that Ali Peera and Siraj Virji, our finalists, will InshaAllah be going on to the Nationals in Chicago this Thanksgiving weekend and wish them both the very best! Jazak Allahu Khairan for all those who have supported and continue to support empowering our Guides through purchase of our Guides Discount Cards and to our Advisors and Lieutenants for working with the Guides on practicing for this Spelling Bee.
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UMF Guides Crafting for Charity
On Saturday, October 21, the UMF Guides had a chance to visit an art studio located in Lake Mary, Florida.The whole experience was a real eye-opener! Our guides were out in full force, eager to make some lovely pottery art shapes for charity.
The owner greeted us at the door and walked us through the studio, showing the guides some art sculptures her previous students had made. Seeing all those lovely shapes gave our young Michelangelo's some real inspiration!
The guides were then ushered into the workshop where the owner began to talk through the process of making all those shapes and demonstrated it by making a beautiful fish. Meanwhile, both of her protégés made their own lovely shapes as the guides paid close attention, soaking up all the details.
They were then allowed to start making their own sculptures, and under the watchful eyes of the art studio owner and our very own UMF lieutenants and Officers, our guides made amazing shapes!
At 5 pm, parents started swooping into the studio, eager to see what their kids had created, and boy were they amazed!
Kudos to our amazing guides! They will go back during the last week of November to polish off and paint their art shapes, before the Charity Auction begins on the first week of December at the HIC Center.
Ahmed Nurmohamed, UMF Guides Lieutenant
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Walking with AKF
United Muslim Foundation Represented at PartnershipsInAction Walk
The event held on Sunday, October 29th is annual event by the PartnershipsInAction initiative to raise awareness for social and econoic struggles in developing countries. The event featured children's activities and dramatic plays to show the role Aga Khan Foundation plays to help them overcome their challenges. UMF applauds awareness initiatives and was honored to be a part of the event.
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Join Us...
For our upcoming events:
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Coffee Encounters Celebrates a Pink Morning
UMF organized a Pink Morning Coffee Encounters in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in association with the Jaffaria Islamic Center and Muslim Women of Orlando. The event was a wonderful success with almost 40 in attendance from different parts of Orlando and different walks of life. "This event was the very picture of unity. Women coming together on a common platform of women's health: spiritual, emotional and physical. We shared stories with each other, learned so much from the professional presentations, worked out and feasted together." says Masuma Virji, UMF Director. "This event is the first of its kind bringing all Muslim women together in Orlando and InshaAllah will serve as a launching point for many more amazing and wonderful ventures to come."
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Staying united (and informed!)
United Muslim Foundation commends Muslim Public Affairs Council on its public statement in regards to sectarian brutality faced by a Shia group in Hajj. Hajj, or Holy Pilgrimage, performed by an able-bodied Muslim once in their lifetime is a beautiful display of equality of all in the eyes of God. Hajj, in its truest form, is an opportunity for spiritual rejuvenation and MPAC highlights the importance of safety of all Muslims. UMF stands UNITED with MPAC and prays for unity in the Muslim Ummah.
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A message from our affiliate, United for Service
United For Service is a non-profit organization that serves to instill a sense of leadership and social responsibility among young adult Muslims by providing first-hand opportunities to serve others globally and locally.
UFS wanted to inform you of an excellent opportunity for individuals to volunteer in Morocco or Mexico in a group with fellow Muslims this December! It's a great opportunity to learn about the challenges of working in a developing country, gain international experience, and exposure to rewarding service opportunities. The program provides volunteers with experience working at health clinics and an orphanage in Morocco and exposure to environmentally sustainable projects and teaching opportunities at a school and orphanage in Mexico.
The program dates are Morocco: Dec. 20- Jan. 1 and Mexico: Dec. 20 - 26.
Additional details and applications are all available online. Although the deadline has passed, UFS are still accepting applications for the wait-list, so take advantage of this great opportunity!
UFS has also recently launched a scholarship opportunity for qualified volunteers! The objective of the UFS Leadership Program is to recognize and provide financial support to young adult Muslims who are participating in a UFS global volunteer program and have demonstrated a dedication to community service.
The program awards a scholarship to individuals who embody UFS's mission to advance social responsibility and have demonstrated leadership in the global and/or local community.
Learn more about the global volunteer programs and the Leadership Award on the UFS website.
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UMF Recognized by The Express-Times, Lehigh Valley
UMF PA's canned food drive was a major success for the Muslim Association of Lehigh Valley & Al-Ahad Islamic Center!
Over 34 boxes of items, filled to the brim to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank! Congratulations to Al-Ahad Islamic Center for a total of 575 pounds of items collected! We are also pleased to announce the winning class of Sisters Shabnam Soonasra and Sabiha Railey Mawji at Al-Ahad Madressa for over 107 items! A HUGE thank you to Br. Kamran Siddiqui at Muslim Association of Lehigh Valley and Brs. Mohammed Khaku and Brian Anthony for all their support during the competition!
Be sure to read about us in the OurTown section of
The Express-Times this Sunday!
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UMF TeenPortal gets its first question!
We are proud to announce that we have received our first question on UMF TeenPortal!
Do you ever feel like you are losing connection with God? You know, how someone will tell you to pray about it, but you are too stressed out to even think? Well, that happened to a Muslim teen on TeenCentral and UMF TeenPortal was ready to help! Check out the first story we received and how we turned a mother's advice of praying into a positive action by clicking here.
Have you logged on to write YOUR story? We want to hear what bothers you! Visit teencentral.net/religion to learn about Islam and write your stories. You'll hear back from a Muslim teen who 'gets it' within 24 hours!
To take a stroll on Faith Street, Visit UMF's Virtual Mosque or Share your Story, click here!
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UMF on Social Media!
Skype: UMF786
Did you know we're on Skype?
Add us on Skype at UMF786 to Skype with a UMF Officer! We'll be available on Skype on Thursday mornings from 9am-11am EST, and by appointment. We would be happy to answer your questions and listen to your ideas LIVE! To schedule an appointment, e-mail us at: info@unitedmuslimfoundation.org
Pinterest: UMF786
We're into Pinning!
UMF just launched its Pinterest Account! Do you have a creative idea for us? Tag us in a post with @umf786 and we'll be sure to check it out! We love connecting with you through social media and what could be more fun than pinning ideas together!
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Help our Guides raise money!
UMF Guides are practicing fiscal responsibility and trying to raise money for causes they care about. Please support our Guides and purchase your Guides Discount Card today!
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UMF is eager to see all Muslim Services advertised on our website. If you'd like to advertise your business (only $100 monthly) or to join the Guides Discount Card Promo to reach a wide audience let us know!
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UMF Launches Affiliate Calendar
To cultivate our affiliate relationships, UMF is proud to announce its Affiliate Events Calendar! Powered by Google, UMF & Affiliate events are posted to our website calendar to be accessed by users all over the world! Truly unique, the Affiliate calendar allows for all Muslim Events, regardless of denomination, to be hosted in ONE spot! Interested in marketing your event? Contact: info@unitedmuslimfoundation.org |
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