Magazine 2012
/Building a better future
With your support
Niger / Al-Mustafa Bashir, a severely malnourished child diagnosed at one of our community clinics.
CEO’s Message
Message fromIslamic Relief’s CEO Assalaamu ‘alaikum / Peace be upon you, Welcome to Islamic Relief Canada’s magazine – our way to thank you for your support and share how together we have helped relieve the suffering and pain of others.
This past year has truly been exceptional – 2011’s crisis in East Africa was one of the
biggest tests we have faced reminding us of the fragility of life and the enormity of the task ahead. Our new global strategy, faith inspired action aims to better prepare for disasters. We see this need clearly in the impending crisis in West Africa and we are determined with your help and by the grace of Allah to act quickly and prevent a ‘second Somalia’.
International development is all about transformational change; change that has a lasting impact. Therefore, as well as protecting life and dignity, we aim to empower
communities and work beyond a crisis to help rebuild the lives of those affected. To
end their suffering for good, we will need structural changes too so our third aim is campaigning for change. For both Somalia and Syria, we have been pressing both decision-makers from the grassroots level and leading political voices for rapid and effective humanitarian intervention.
Due to our highly respectable reputation, further support has been provided to us by the Canadian International Development Agency worth over a million dollars which in turn has helped us provide emergency food assistance to vulnerable populations suffering from droughts to famine stricken Somalia.
None of this would be possible without your generous support – whether through
donating, volunteering, or simply remembering us and those in need in your prayers, thank you. I hope you will enjoy reading about the progress we have made together by the grace of Allah.
Wa salaam / In peace,
Sallah Hamdani Islamic ReliefCanada CEO
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Farhia, 20 year old refugee &
Islamic Relief volunteer at the Mangaize Refugee Camp.
Contents
/3 CEO’s Message /6 Peace In The Middle East /8 East Africa: Update /13 Canadian Government Partnership /14 Building a better future /20 Not So Risky Business /22 With Love & Hard Work /28 Maher Zain Tour /30 Volunteer Case Study /32 Blood, Sweat & Volunteers /34 We Are Accountable
Director Of Communictions: Zaid Al-Rawni Managing Editor Adil Husseini Editor Zaid Al-Rawni Creative Director Ahmad Tudor Designer Ahmad Tudor Copy Writer Louiza Chekhar Researcher Reem El-Khatib
With thanks to all those who contributed. Photographs © Ahmad Tudor & Adam Scarth. Except pages 10 & 12 © Shaista Chishty & Page 9 © Mo Dahir.
/ SYRIA SYRIA / As the Arab Spring swept the Middle East, horrific fighting broke out in Syria, and thousands left their homes in search of refuge. Islamic Relief called for a ceasefire to allow humanitarian access. As families arrived on the borders of Lebanon
Islamic Relief provided medical supplies,
protection, Islamic Relief was there to provide the
vaccinations and anaesthetics. Our access is
and Jordan empty-handed, seeking shelter and
essentials for survival, like food packs, hygiene kits, blankets for the cold winter and money to pay their rent. For a long time, access into Syria for those not fortunate enough to escape
was impossible. Thankfully we were able to send supplies into Homs in March 2012, where civilians had set up makeshift clinics to treat the wounded,
Syria/ Dr Mohamed Ashmawey of Islamic Relief, was instrumental in pressing the UN for humanitarian access, including Valerie Amos & Kofi Annan.
including antibiotics, blood transfusion bags, uncertain, but every life we can save is worth the
risk. With the fighting intensifying in and around
Damascus, the outlook for the coming weeks is poor. More and more people are pouring out of Syria feeling for the lives. With your help our teams in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey & Iraq will
continue to ensure their basic needs are met, while we continue to reach those we can inside Syria.
Yemen / Child walks
lost amid the carnage of the conflict.
YEMEN / Following prolonged conflict over several months, the situation in Yemen reached crisis point when over half a million people were forced to flee their homes in fear for their safety. Fighting has disrupted supplies of water, fuel,
Islamic Relief has been working in Yemen for
to clean water or healthcare, diseases like
the call immediately. Distributing food packs
electricity and medicine. With barely any access
over a decade, so we were ready to answer
malaria, meningitis and TB are spreading fast,
to thousands of families, we also provided
and over a million people now need emergency
essential hygiene kits to help to stop the spread
treatment. On top of this, a severe food shortage
of disease. Families had left everything behind
has left nearly 5 million hungry, and over half of
when they fled, so were in desperate need of
Yemen’s children malnourished.
basic shelter items like mattresses and blankets, which Islamic Relief quickly supplied.
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Crisis
In 2011, a deadly combination of lack of rain and rising food prices led to the worst drought East Africa had seen in over 60 years – and the 21st century’s first official famine.
With 13 million people affected in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, this was undoubtedly one of the biggest crises Islamic Relief had ever faced, and we were horror-struck by what we witnessed.
We saw Abdul Ilahi, the boy who walked for 200 miles with his
family to reach Mogadishu. We saw Aisha, who gave birth after
reaching a refugee camp to a tiny baby boy who died just two
weeks later – before he had even been named. We saw, and we responded – 6 months after the famine was declared, stunned by your generous support, we had implemented a multi-million dollar programme reaching over a million people.
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Water / clean drinking
water for 400,000 people,
and 18 wells rehabilitated
Children / 11,000 malnourished children treated, and a new
emergency unit constructed for
children suffering diarrheoa and cholera.
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Crisis
Health / 3 clinics established
treating over 45,000 people, and 10 tonnes of medicine provided
Food / emergency food
packages for 1 million people
East Africa may no longer be in the media spotlight, but Islamic Relief is
still providing major support. Not just
emergency supplies, but long-term solutions too: new wells to provide clean
water, support for farmers to get their livelihoods back, and schools to give
children a future. In short, with your continued help, we’re rebuilding lives.
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Islamic Relief Canada(IRC) has signed a new $ 3 Million
in impoverished regions around the world” he added.
Agency (CIDA).
The partnership, unprecedented for Muslim charities in
The agreement will provide Emergency Food
Relief Canada committing $1.5Millon. The partnership
contract with the Canadian International Development
Assistance to vulnerable populations in drought and famine stricken Somalia. “We are very proud and
pleased with this announcement” said Sallah Hamdani, CEO of Islamic Relief Canada, “It demonstrates the
scale and capacity of Islamic Relief, our credibility with
the Canadian government and the affect we’re having
Canada, entails CIDA providing $1.5 Million and Islamic inaugurates what IRC hopes will be continued support
by the Canadian government for its work not only in Somalia but other countries around the world and the Canadian governments continued commitment to the worlds poor.
Actor Hugh Quarshie helped Islamic Relief bring a spotlight to the crisis
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CIDA PARTNERSHIP
Canadian Government $3million partnership with Islamic Relief
With your help we have made progress – less people are dying and malnutrition has dropped – but the crisis is far from over. In a report published in February 2012, Back From The Brink, Islamic Relief highlighted the need for the international community to step up and support Somalia with increased, consistent aid to the most desperate areas. We urged them to respond quickly to the earliest warning signs, and help the region strengthen and protect itself against future crises. This report led to significant interest and private briefings
Islamic Relief believes in sustainable solutions. We have empowered thousands of people all over
the world, giving them the means to provide for themselves, long after we have left.
S / HUMANITY NEEDS SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS / HUMANITY NEEDS SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS / HUMANITY NEEDS SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS / HUMANITY NEEDS
When Mati Rani’s husband died five years ago, she was forced to work as a farm labourer and housemaid at the
same time, yet still could not support herself and her two children. Gradually, her dreams of becoming selfreliant and providing for her family were shattered.
That is, until Islamic Relief trained Mati, and other
women in the village, to weave baskets and other crafts. Given just a few tools and materials, Mati set up her own business, and was soon producing so many baskets
to sell that she was able to take on five employees, empowering even more women!
Proud but shy, Mati is overjoyed that she no longer has
to knock on door after door, asking for help. She is not just weaving baskets – she is weaving a life for herself.
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S SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS / HUMANITY NEEDS SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS / HUMANITY NEEDS SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS / HUMANITY NEEDS SUSTAINABLE SOLU
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SUBHY / For generations, the fishing trade has
Islamic Relief helped fishermen like Subhy
family. It is his only source of income, but he
new boats and tools. For Subhy, this support
passed from father to son in Subhy Miqdad’s
rebuild their livelihoods, providing loans to buy
struggles to raise his son alone, since fishing
was “like a lifeline” – he had no other way of
restrictions stop Palestinians sailing more than
buying a new boat. Subhy is delighted to carry
three miles from the shore. There are just not
on his forefathers’ trade, and is training his son
enough fish to go around in the tiny strip, so
to become a fisherman too. Now, the repaid loan
nobody can afford to replace essential boats or
can be used to help yet another family in need.
equipment.
NIVEEN / When Niveen Salhi’s husband was
She also teaches local women to embroider,
newborn, she was determined not to depend on
provide for themselves!
martyred, when their second son was just a
empowering yet more people with the skills to
others to bring up her children. All it took was
one simple gift from Islamic Relief: a sewing
Niveen hated feeling like a burden to others, so
machine.
she is extremely happy to support her sons all
by herself. To her, this gift was not just a sewing
Now, Niveen makes and embroiders shawls,
machine – it was the gift of dignity.
bags and dresses. By selling them, she can feed her family and make vital repairs their home.
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NIGER / For two years, lack of rainfall in Niger
The panels store energy, so the well keeps
Ouallam district. No crops are growing, and there
low-cost, environmentally-friendly solution which
has had a devastating effect on the people of
working at night or on cloudy days – the perfect
is no clean water to drink, cook or wash with.
never runs out!
Everyone is hungry, and children are picking up diseases from what little infected water there is
For 17-year-old Nafisa Salei, the well means that
available.
she doesn’t have to carry heavy, back-breaking buckets of water over long distances for her
Islamic Relief built a solar-panelled well in Farka
family every morning. The crisis in Niger is far
village, taking natural energy from the sun, and
from over, but this is just one of the ways Islamic
using it to pump pure water from deep below the
Relief is creating solutions to the lack of water –
ground into a vast 7-metre-tall tank. The water is
solutions which last for good.
then split between four borehole wells, so that all 2,500 villagers have a water source nearby.
Salamatou Marou, Niger
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Fatee Direesa getting fresh water. Four communities are now supplied from just one well.
because of you, we are providing long-term solutions to poverty
Village chief Amadou and Islamic Relief worker Raboui, standing proudly by the solar panels.
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Not so Risky Busin Bangladesh is the most disaster-prone country in the world. Islamic Relief
works hard to prepare and protect people before emergencies strike – not
only saving lives, but also money on repairs!
Every year, families in Bangladesh lose their homes and possessions when flashfloods destroy everything. Islamic Relief
found a very simple solution – using plinths to raise houses, they can avoid most of the damage.
We set up a disaster response point, and trained local people to help those in need when the floods hit.
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Sabina Yasmin, DRR trainer, Bangladesh
ness
“I’m not teaching the community – every day I learn something new from them!”
For over 15 years, Sabina Yasmin has been helping communities in Bangladesh protect themselves from the floods that ravage their homes every year. With the most basic of household items, the lives of entire families can be saved.
From simple aluminium jars...a raft to keep stranded families afloat.
By simply unwrapping a sari and throwing it out...a mother can rescue her two children before they float away.
It seems almost too good to be true, but Sabina says “these techniques are very effective. The aluminium jar
raft is very easy, takes only a short time to make, and anyone can do it.” Every year, families in
Before Sabina’s training, flash floods would rush into
and possessions when flash
couple of simple lessons and some smart thinking, she
Bangladesh lose their homes floods destroy everything.
homes and families would be torn apart – now, with a has thrown them a lifeline.
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Children need love. Brave and
beautiful children like 4-yearold Somoud, who lost her father in
Palestine’s violent conflict, need love. When you sponsor an orphan out of
love, we can give them everything they need for the best start in life; food, shelter, clothes, healthcare and education.
Sultan and Bushra lost both
their parents in Gaza at a young age. Sultan is supported by Islamic Relief, but sadly
we haven’t found a sponsor for his sister. To sponsor a
child please call Islamic Relief today on 1.855.377. HOPE(4673)
We all know that ‘love’ isn’t just word, it’s an action. Love isn’t easy, it takes hard work and dedication, but the rewards can be beyond imagination. Seeing a child walk into a new classroom that we’ve built, excited to learn about the world is something very special.
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In Bangladesh sat a run-down school building, left
empty for over 20 years. Children were sitting on the floor to learn, in dark, unpainted rooms with
empty shelves – it was far from the bright and inspirational place a school should be.
The Conservative Party’s Social Action Project Maja chose to team up with Islamic Relief, knowing
about the great work we do, to refurbish the Mohd Hazi Shafiq School. Led by Baroness Sayeeda Warsi and MP Tobias Ellwood, amongst many other politicians and volunteers, and supported
by B&Q, Aldershot FC and Britain’s celebrity chef
Enam Ali, the team completely rejuvenated the building in just one week.
Walls were brightly painted, varnished desks and
benches shone in the classrooms, cupboards
were full of sports equipment...we even installed a state of the art computer lab, turning it from a mere shell into one of Sylhet’s most exciting schools.
The trip was an eye-opener for everyone involved.
Seeing the things we take for granted in our schools – so trivial to us, but life-changing to
children in Bangladesh – gave the team a whole new perspective on what we can achieve. By working together, we can make a difference.
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Maher Zain -
The Living Arts Centre was rocking to the
Many of those in the audience were in
with an Islamic nasheeds during a
sometimes mellow, sometimes raucous
sound of praise of the prophet
(pbuh),
fundraising concert.
a generous mood, as the nasheed — — opened up their ears and their wallets.
Multi-platinum singer and songwriter
Sheikh Alaa El Sayad of the Islamic
was the last of three taking place across
South Service Rd. in Clarkson took to the
Maher Zain headlined the concert that Canada to raise money for Islamic Relief
Canada (IRC), a charity dedicated to alleviating poverty and suffering. The other two were held in Ottawa and Montreal.
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Society of North America mosque on the stage to singlehandedly raised $284,000 from the audience.
In all, a total of over $500,000 was raised from the three-city tour.
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Inspiring
Ottawa / $82,782 Montreal / 143,513 Toronto / $284,669 Inspiring amounts raised
Zain, who released his debut album,
help themselves.
with fellow Canadian artists Irfan Makki,
In advance of the concert, IRC chief
Moe’Money to help IRC help orphans and
group was hoping the concerts would
Thank You Allah, in 2009, teamed up Moez Melon and comedian Waseem children in need.
With offices in more than 40 countries, IRC provides rapid relief in the event of
human and natural disasters and helps
establish sustainable local development
executive officer Sallah Hamdani said the
“open the eyes of our community ... to show them that the children worldwide and even right here at home in Canada need our help.”
projects allowing communities to better
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First, let’s get one thing clear. Dirty water kills 2 million children every year. There is just one question you need to ask yourself: ‘What will I be doing in 2012?’ Will you be standing at a bus stop or will you be standing on a mountain top? Will you feel an amazing sense of accomplishment, knowing that you’ve helped give people around the world access to the most basic but essential commodity – clean water – just by having fun? So, are you in? Get involved today, call 1.855.377.HOPE (4673) to find out more.
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Challenges
Name/ Sabahat Naheed Challenge: Climb Mount Kilimanjaro at
Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak, just as the adhaan echoed from a nearby mosque.
5895m Cause: To give people all over the world
The climb was difficult, but it made me
Water For Life...
realise how fortunate I am. I had friends around me to help when I struggled – but
Having climbed pervious mountains for
for the mother whose child is crying from
Islamic Relief, I knew my next challenge
thirst, who is there to help her?
Sabahat Naheed
had to be the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, the highest peak in Africa –
We set out to raise £60,000 for Islamic
Mount Kilimanjaro.
Relief’s Water Solutions, providing people all over the world with clean drinking
With fourteen other challengers, we set
water, but amazingly we ended up raising
off through the humid, lush rainforest,
over £100,000! Climbing Kilimanjaro for
which transformed as we climbed higher
this cause was definitely worthwhile, and
into Alpine desert, hot and dry with very
if I had the chance, I would do it all over
few plants. The trek was tough, but
again.
the scenery was beautiful, truly Allah’s work of art – my favourite sight was of
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Volunteering
“Time is money” – at Islamic Relief, where the work never stops, over a thousand volunteers in cities across Canada donate their time to us, working day in, day out.
So thank you for all the dinners, leafleting, bazaars, collections, challenges and school
visits you’ve taken on this year! If you’d like to join our fantastic volunteer team, call 1.855.377.HOPE (4673), or email info@islamicreliefcanada.org – you’ll never look back.
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Student from Islamic Relief’s ‘Lhok Nga Lampuuk Elementary School’ in Mon Ikien, Indonesia.
Call 1.855.377.HOPE(4673) islamicreliefcanada.org charity number: 821896875RR0001