The team also prepared a brochure which included very important facts on the situation of the orphans in Iraq, as well as devastating statistics taken from a recent report from the United Nations.
After much preparation and anticipation, the Day is finally here. On a sunny day in July, the Tabligh Committee of the Islamic Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat of Toronto (ISIJ), in cooperation with the World Federation, conducted its first ever fundraising event to raise money for the children affected by the war in Iraq. Several volunteers offered their time and efforts in bringing awareness about the deplorable state of Iraqi orphans. The session took place at two separate venues in Toronto: Scarborough Civic Centre and Mel Lastman Square. The event was held for two days, July 10 and July 11, 2008, and the idea was to reach out to other communities and present them with the grim facts about the situation.
The tables were set up early in the morning by the volunteers, with banners and leaflets showing pictures of orphans. Also showcasted were the specially designed water bottles that were sold to raise money for the orphans. They had been printed with the phrase "i care, therefore i give". The water bottles had been donated by a member of the community and were being sold for five dollars each. All proceeds went to the Iraq Orphan Fund.
The team also prepared a brochure which included very important facts on the situation of the orphans in Iraq, as well as devastating statistics taken from a recent report from the United Nations.
Very quickly, people started to visit the stall and got interested in doing whatever they could to help out. Some gave generous donations, while others offered to take some brochures and distribute them to their friends and family. Others gave whatever change they had on them and put them in the donation box. Many expressed their concern towards the innocent lives lost in Iraq, having come themselves from war-torn countries such as Somalia and Sri Lanka. Many had tears in their eyes.
"It does feel awesome to have done such a project, and now I do feel honored to have been able to help at least one orphan, if not more," said participant Sajeda Canani. "Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to do so."
The Resident Scholar of the community, Maulana Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi, also spoke on this issue and encouraged the community members to donate for this cause. He mentioned a narration from the Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them) that exhorts believers to taking care of the needs of the orphans whenever they begin a new project.
"Having been blessed to recently doing the Ziyarat of Imam Hussain and Imam Ali (peace be upon them), I perhaps saw a glimpse of what life is really like there," said Shahid Juma, one of the organizers of the event. "And hearing what Sayed Mahdi Modarresi had spoken in Muharram and the other campaigns done by some of our community member, this was a small step in bringing out the awareness of the plight of Iraqi orphans. Insha'Allah this small step will allow us to do more similar types of campaigns down the road."
Those looking for more information about the project or wishing to donate can do so by visiting the group's website or via email.
