Udhiya/Qurbani 2009 Share the Joys of Eid with those in Need Wars and natural disasters are ongoing in most regions we are serving. In Afghanistan, Chechnya, Palestine, Kashmir and Somalia, millions of widows, orphans and poor are waiting to receive wholesome, fresh meat. This meat will bring joy to their families during the Blessed Days of Eid. Eid ul-Adha is a good time for you and for us to help make this happen inshaAllah.This year, Zakat Foundation will be expanding its Udhiya/Qurbani Seasonal Program to the disasters stricken towns of South Sumatra, Indonesia, as well as flooded communities in the Philippines and The Gambia. Zakat Foundation does not forget the poor and needy at home, as slaughter and distribution will also be performed in the USA. Locally we are joining hands with The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) to distribute fresh meat to refugees and needy Muslim families in the Chicagoland area.

Building Skills for Self-Reliance Zakat Foundation Establishes a Sewing School in Gaza In the summer of 2009, Zakat Foundation began a sewing school in the war-torn, but resilient area of Gaza, Palestine. With the funds that our donors have designated towards the promotion of education and skill training, Taal al-Hawa Women’s Training Course opened its doors for thirty women who range in age from 19 to 25 currently living in Gaza. We believe that it is through skill training and multi-age educational opportunities that families can be assisted in lifting themselves out of poverty.

Zakat Foundation Helps University Students in Afghanistan Achieve Their Dreams At one time the educational system in Afghanistan was good enough to attract students from other parts of Asia and the Middle East, but a slow decline set in after the Soviet invasion of 1979.1 The subsequent Taliban rule and initial US bombing and invasion helped to put the Afghani education system on its deathbed. If the people of Afghanistan are going to have a fair chance for a stable future, quality education is going to provide that future. This is why Zakat Foundation has reconstructed primary schools and assists higher education students in completing their educations. Poor university students need consistent support to ensure their successful graduation. Through our local partner in Afghanistan, is supporting almost 200 students at the various universities in Afghanistan.

Zakat Foundation Delivers Emergency Aid for Victims of Worst India Floods in a Century Southern India has been hit by the worst flood that country has experienced in almost a century. More than 250 are dead and over 2.5 million people are homeless as floodwaters submerged farmland and towns, causing billions of dollars of damage. Millions of people are crammed into government temporary housing. Aid workers have reported that there is an acute lack of food, water and sanitation in the shelters. As part of our Emergency Relief response to the India floods, Zakat Foundation’s local partners are distributing food packages, hygiene packages and medicine for the survivors of the flood.

	In Spotlight   South Asian Delegation Visits Zakat Foundation Offices On the 19th of November 2009, a nine party delegation of government officials, journalists, and academics hailing from six South Asian countries visited Zakat Foundation’s central office. The delegation, which toured America as visitors of the US State Department, was here to examine the development and implementation of U.S. foreign policy, with an emphasis on South and Central Asia.  » Read More. Zakat Foundation participates in USAID and Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Conference Call On Tuesday September 22, 2009, Zakat Foundation’s Executive Director Halil Demir participated in an open conference call held by US Agency for International Development (USAID) in conjunction with the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.  » Read More. Zakat Foundation and Partner send $1.5 Million Worth of Hospital Equipment and Computers to Ghana Zakat Foundation partnered with Children of Abraham, a nonprofit organization with the principal mission of fostering reliable healthcare around the world, to ship a container of medical supplies and computers to Ghana on Saturday, July 18, 2009. The 40-foot container was filled with more than 800 boxes of medical supplies, desktop computers and backpacks with school supplies with an estimated total worth of more than 1.5 million US dollars.  » Read More. Zakat Foundation Director Recognized for Community Service at Annual Interfaith Community Dinner Zakat Foundation Executive Director Khalil Demir was awarded Mosque Foundation’s Annual Community Recognition Award for his work in and around Bridgeview and the south suburbs of Chicago. On September 1, 2009, Mr. Demir was recognized at Mosque Foundation’s Community Iftar, an annual event held during the month of Ramadan. Influential Muslim and non-Muslims community members come together to break the fast and pay tribute to those individuals who strive hard to serve the community.  » Read More.