Update # 19
Note:There are several donors who offered to donate but their payment methods didn’t work or the transaction fee is higher than the donation, so we would like to acknowledge their effort and may Allah reward them for their intentions, they are from Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK, and USA.
I forget all my worries,”
DateDrive of Rabie A-thani 1430/April 2009
Type of DateDrive: Monetary & Awareness
Drive Target:
- Collecting $4,977 USD (rent about $750 + educational programs for $500)
- Getting 70 support comments and dua, click here to post a pleasant word (Put, your city/state/country, so we feel the sense of one global family)
- Getting 12 groups/individuals to write support letters/cards to these 50 families in Houston, mail them to this address
Sadaqah never decreases wealth
-Authentic Hadith collected in Sahih Muslim
Current highest donation is $700, smallest $1, click here to read more interesting facts.
Combined total of Paypal, Authorize.net, and offline
The above total includes Al-Amaanah locally raised $2141
I remember when our family were refugees, how many generous people helped us with everything: clothing, food, education, etc.” -Sister ATo donate (online or by mail) click on “Donate Now”
Matching & Challenges:
- Grow HalfDate: For every mailing list signup, HalfDate will donate $1 up to $200. Just join the mailing list and post a comment that you are participating in Alamaanah drive
- Blog for a cause: For every blog post about helping refugees/Alamaanah, $5 will be donated up to $250
A pleasant word! For every comment or Dua about Sadaqah or refugees posted about helping refugees, $1 Canadian Dollar will be donated up to $100.- Matching Challenge: If 100 people each donates $5, I’ll match their donations ($500) – post in the comment
Unemployed & Broke Challenge: If an unemployed Muslim donates $20 or more, we’ll double it up to $500 – post in the comment- Baitul Salaam supports Al-Amaanah: Everyone (maximum 100 donors) who gives $5.00 Baitul Salaam (women shelter in GA) will give $5.00. We challenge you to challenge us. Give at least $5.00 to be matched by us
We are looking for 12 groups/individuals to write to these 50 families in Houston.
So far, the following brothers/sisters/groups have promised to write:
- Sunday school, TX, USA made 50 cards Allahu Akbar!
- BuildingBlocks, MN, USA
- Sydney youth, NSW, Australia
- Bengali tigers, CA, USA
- Ladiedee, MI, USA
- Poetry Sisters, CA, USA
- Coach Zohra, IN, USA will collect from her community and send in Hijab and other gifts
- Baitul Salaam, GA, USA will collect and send gifts, giftcards, and cards
- Calgary Sisters, AB, Canada
- Northside College Prep Jamaah Club, IL, USA
- Miriam, NY, USA will send a Hijab and a note
- Bebo’s parents, NJ, USA
- Abu & Umm Omar, CA, USA
- Dulles High School Muslims, TX, USA
Al Amaanah, Inc.
8181 Fannin, Suite 337
Houston, TX, 77054
Or email tamra at halfdate and we will print/convey your email to Alamaanah volunteers.
There are about 50 families, lots of kids, about 10 widows, and a few sisters living on their own. If your school/masjid want to ask your kids to make cards for these families, please try to make 50 cards and let the kids write their names and their city.
Sample Letters & Cards
All the info they gave was that it was from Sister Yafa and her class (Imam, Yusuf, Ahmed, Muhammad, Iman, Amal, Yasmine, and Hosna). May Allah reward the teacher, students, parents, school admin, and all those who helped with the sweetest date in Jannah
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If you want to write to a specific person, you can write to the following:
Kids:
you can ask them to write to Hassan and Ibrahim, asking them to take good care of their mother, of each other, and their younger brother.
Or Mustafa:
Adult:
Abu Mais
A father of 7 kids, eldest is 14 yrs old. He takes his kids to and from school everyday, runs all the errands during the day and then works at night as a security guard.
Pharwin
A Burmese girl, mashallah very very smart, she serves as our guide every time we go to the Burmese complex because she is the only one that can speak English there. She is still in school, learning fast and likes school.
Some of you asked about giving these families some gifts. Here are some suggestions:
Prayer rugs, Qurans (especially, in Burmese language) and scarfs/Abayas, school supplies, household items and appliance, and clothes.
The following are some example of these families (Al-Amaanah sponsors about 50 families):
Family #1 (Iraqi)
Single woman, lives on her own, doesn’t speak English. Wallahy she has been waiting all week for our visit, she hasn’t been here for long and doesn’t know that many ppl. Has no one to talk to, and thats her main problem, she wants to learn English so bad. I suggest some sisters make it a habit to visit her twice a week. Maybe get some dessert or something and just go spend some quality time with her. She will be having surgery in April so won’t be able to work this month until she gets the surgery and recovers. She also needs pocket money during this period until she starts working again. Please visit her, call her on the phone, make her know that she is not forgotten!
Family #2 (Iraqi)
Single woman living with her mom and she is the one that has to pay the bills, her mom is too old to work. She was in dire need of finding a job last week and alhamdulillah she just got one a couple of days ago. She hasn’t been working for a month though and her rent has to be paid before the end of the month!!! She also is planning to move closer to work because she takes 3 buses just to get there from where they live. So we promised to help her move, but rent still has to be paid for this month!!!
Family #3 (Iraqi)
A man in his mid 30s, can’t work because he has a lot of medical problems, needs help paying his electric bill (inshalla is in the process of being taken care of). He doesn’t speak English and therefore is isolated in this big world! We should start making it a habit to visit him every week too. He says he could use some furniture around the house so we need to go visit him and find out how can we help him more.
Family #4 (Iraqi) *update 4/19 He found a job, Alhamduilllah*
The father used to work as a barber in Iraq, he had another job here but got laid off because of the economy. He said he is waiting on his papers to come from Iraq this week so that he can start working his normal job (cutting hair). He is having trouble paying the bills and rent till he starts working again.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I give Zakah?
Yes, you can click here to give Zakah -
Do you spend my Zakah in administrative or operational cost?
No, Zakah is strictly and totally giving to end beneficiaries. - Can these brothers and sisters work?
Yes, they are looking for jobs and a few do have part-time jobs, but that’s only enough to pay for food, utilities, etc. - What about government assistance?
Government rent assistance to refugee families cover only the first four months. - I saw on TV that non-Muslims organizations (e.g. churches) are helping them?
Yes, there are other refugee service organizations. However, Al Amaanah provides unique services that Muslim families need, e.g. educational programs for their children. - What is Al Amaanah?
Al Amaanah is refugee service organization based in Houston, Texas, USA. The word Amaanah means trust or duty, because Muslims believe that taking care of our brothers and sisters who happened to be refugees is an amaanah on everyone’s shoulders. - What other services does Al Amaanah provide?
Other than financial support, our services include English classes, homework help for children, and physical and emotional support for many widows, injured, and disabled refugees. - I want to know more about your volunteer interaction with these families, where can I find that?
Visit Al-Amaanah blog http://alamaanah.wordpress.com/
For more information, visit http://www.alamaanah.com/ or listen to this interview.
To keep updated, visit Al-Amaanah blog http://alamaanah.wordpress.com/
- All early donors are from Australia (Sun does rise from there
) - Smallest contribution is $1 (half a date )
- Biggest contribution so far is
$250 from Pennsylvania $400 from California $500 from Texas$700 Calgary, Canada - A laid off mother of three donated $20, a brother who lost his job gave $40 (please make dua for them)
- Several unemployed students gave, one gave $7.29 because that’s what she had in her account.
- Youngest donor
she doesn’t even have a credit card or bank accountRehan and Heba (7 & 4 children donated from their own money). - Alhamdulillah, Over 10 blog posts for this drive, may Allah reward all bloggers.
- Alhamdulillah, over 17K views on YouTube alone (not counting other sites), may Allah reward all views and promoters.
- The donor who gave $7.29 later gave another $77 from tax refund.
- A sister found a job after giving.
- A mother found her sick child improving after giving.
- Several donors gave multiple times, one sister gave again because she didn’t have enough to give the first time, another sister gave whenever she felt pain or inspirations.
- Alhamdulillah, over 100 gift items (cards, letter, gift card, scarf, clothing) have been mailed to Al-Amaanah
- Several groups have raised for the drive, namely Northwestern University, Calgary medical students, and Organic HalfDate Club
If you know any media or Khateeb wants to talk about this drive. Let them contact us (tamra -a-t- halfdate.com)
Drive Sponsors
HalfDate promotion costs are sponsored by the following sponsors and by HalfDaters like you.
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Want to spread the word?
- Blog about this drive. Click here
- Post the http://halfdate.com link on your email or forum signature.
- Buy an ad on Google or social media ads on Facebook, MySpace, …
- Chip in for flyer printing and distribution.
- Tell your local media about this drive.
Pictures:
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Tags: homeless, iraqi refugees, needy, orphans, sadaqah, widow, zakah
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SubhanAllah…
May Allah grant them sabr, ameen
I remember how many people helped my family, we were refugees. I wish I had money to give, but I do not, I will try to help in other ways, inshaAllah
Thanks for sharing this story, it creates mercy in the heart of Muslims for others, and makes them truly appreciate what they have, and how little their problems are compared to others.
May Allah help us, ameen
Asaalam malikum,
may ALLAH bless these families, ameen.
salaam,
ashraf.
Ya Razzaq grant Rizq to these families, the like of which they have never seen in their lives. Ya Rabb add barakah to their lives for they are deserving,needy people. Ya Rahman have Mercy on them and on all of us and forgive our sins for we are forgetful. Ya Allah bless this endeavor from the brothers and sisters supporting Al-Amaanah and HalfDate and all those who have helped for this cause, for the many more causes served in the past and for all the future ones to come inshAllah
awsomish…@@@
How About Western Union ?? Thats the easiest route, i won’t have to bother someone to take me there !
Assalam alaikum Princessaisha90,
Instead of sending Western Union (which will charge you a fee).
HalfDate will donate on your behalf and you just print fliers for this drive and distribute them out?
Just email us how much you want to donate.
May Allah accept from all of us.
Mashallah this is very good
Assalamualaikum.
The “Care For Refugee” drive has been posted on Al Qadar:
http://alqadar.wordpress.com/2009/04/09/care-for-refugees-a-half-date-initiative
Hope this helps
[Admin: Jazakum Allahu kahira for blogging about this cause. $5 will be donated for blogging. So far, $10 allocated 250-10= $240 remained #matchingFund]
Allah bless them please
May Allah help them
Assalamu Alaikum,
I have recieved an email telling me about your situation and just want you to know that Allah answers all dua and I am making dua for you and your family for blessings in this life and in the Akhira. Allah tests us all but does not give us more than what we can bear. Please remember during times like these that the difficulty now is hard but when relief comes, and it will come inshallah, it will feel as if you never knew suffering. May Allah grant relief from the hardship you are enduring.
Lisette Abdiruhman
Baltimore, Maryland
With EVERY difficulty comes EASE… With EVERY difficulty comes EASE…
4/8/09 Update:
Donations:
Fatma
Australia
$10
Safia
United Kingdom
$5
Shireen
Diamond Bar, CA
$20
Jeffery
Port Huron, MI
$20
Caynan
tigard, OR
$10
MOHAMMED
Houston TX
$100
SDconnect
San Diego, CA
$5
Omar Ali
San Diego, CA
$50
Mohammed (laid off) – If you show he is unemployed-halfdate guys said they would double it.
Oklahoma City, OK
$40
Mohammed
Bangalore, India
$100
Eisha
Niagra falls, Ontario – Canada
$10
Assalamu alaikum,
May Allah make it easy for them, Ameen.
I posted the link on my blog, may Allah reward you halfdaters Ameen.
[Admin: Jazakum Allahu kahira for blogging about this cause. $5 will be donated for blogging. So far, $15 allocated 250-15= $235 remained #matchingFund]
yaa Rub, Help the Muslim ummah, Ameen
Assalamu alaikum.
I’m gonna ask several families here to donate.
Will talk about them to my masjid too.
Matching for unemployed/laid off donors: $2×20 =40 for the laid off mother of three and $2×40 =80 for Oklahoma brother Mohammed
Total as of now: $120 ($380 remained)
unemployed/broke/laid off #matchingFund
May Allah (swt), keep you all happy and smiling always ameen,
and bless you with his mercy and blessings, and give you jannah in this world and in the akhirah ameen. your sister in Doncaster, UK
May Allah bless you guys, the muslim community of sweden is with you for this cause in sha’a Allah
May Allah grants the best for them, not only here but also in Jannahm, Ameen
Fisabillillah 
!
Assalamu’alaykum,
May Allah ease thier suffering and bless them with patience and bless them in this life and the akhirah.Ameen.
May Allah reward all the organizers, supporters, and all those who have donated and will donate for the sake of Allah.
May Allah ease all the pain and suffering of all the Muslims around the world.
May Allah grant the refugees happiness and success in the dunya and aakhirah.
May Allah grant barakah in the work of al amaanah and half date, and other organizations.
Allahumma ameen.
As-salaamu ‘alaykum,
We’re golden! The drive is on my blog. http://muslimahmoneymatters.wordpress.com/2009/04/09/help-iraqi-refugees-in-houston/
Also:
May Allah ta’ala grant much ease after such difficulty and grant barakah in the time, effort, and resources flowing on your behalf, amin.
[Admin: Jazakum Allahu kahira for blogging about this cause. $5 will be donated for blogging. So far, $20 allocated 250-20= $230 remained #matchingFund]
We know that every museebah (bad event) ,which comes to muslims, clear away some of our bad deeds…Such kind of events are like ransoms for the bad deeds that we have done…So, even if we have not so comfortable life in this world, Allah may let us have very comfortable and a happy life in hereafter inshaallah. So, dear sisters and brothers pls dont be unpleasant becuz of your situation, think about the worse ones and thank to Allah. You should be strong by trusting Allah cuz He never leaves us alone..
Allah be with you inshaallah, forgive you and bless you..
Hope to meet with all those three families and all the brothers and sisters who’s written their comments in Jannah…
Love and peace from Turkey..
Assalamalaikum warahmatulahi wabarakatuhu,
May Allah grant help and relief to all those in need and shelter us in His grace in this world and the next. I pray that all our brothers and sisters have their troubles eased and their paths straightened for them .
Ameen
Furqan from india
May Allah relieve their financial burden and give them contentment in life. May Allah ease their hardships, make their home spacious for them, forgive their sins, and make them among the pure and the repentant, and among Allah’s slaves. Ameen.
Allah rewards those who have patience, so may Allah make their journey easy for them, and grant them with jannah as their final abode.
4/9/09 Update
Firdaus
santa clara,ca
$50
Checkout this Video – It portrays the situation of Iraqi Refugees throughout the US. http://alamaanah.wordpress.com/2009/03/22/iraqi-refugee-vid/
Assalam Alaikum,
Jazakum Allahu khaira for all your help (donations or pleasant words)
It’s Friday, please make dua for these families and this drive and all those who helped.
Please try to announce about this drive in your masjid, school, Sunday program, …
One high school student will contact a newspaper about how the Ummah is pouring their heart for these families. Yep, from Japan to Trinidad, and from Sweden to Australia.
May Allah accept from us all.
Assalamualaikum,
I am Mardiana from Malaysia. I have posted about this drive in my blog.
To halfdaters, thank you so much for doing this, for allowing other people to help as well. May Allah bless you and everyone that help.
To the refugee families, best wishes on your journey onward. May Allah bless you with all the strength you need. You are certainly in my prayers.
Thank you.
[Admin: Jazakum Allahu kahira for blogging about this cause. $5 will be donated for blogging. So far, $25 allocated 250-25= $225 remained #matchingFund]
salam. i’m farhana from malaysia. thanks for taking this initiative to help our brothers and sisters. keep up the good work and my prayers with you
may Allah bless you for all your efforts to help our brothers and sisters in islam ameen.
may Allah accept our douas for them and make it easy for them ameen
As Salaamu Alaikum,
May Allah grant you and your family a safe and pleasant home and a good end for your new beginnings.
Muhammad
Ontario, Canada
$10.00 USD
Asif
San Antonio, TX
30.00 (USD)
Syed B
Santa Clara, CA
100(USD)
Erhanfadli
Williamstown, MA
$5.00
may Allah help you all….
you have a family of 1.2 billion muslims.
salam. please keep up the work. my prayers with you
Assalamu alaykum
Im from California and Im proud of the work are brothers are doing. This is a test from Allah subhana wa talla and we must do the best we can to help individually and collectively it will make a big difference. If any of the familys read this we love you and know that Allah loves you more and your reward will be great so remain patient in this hard times.
update would be posted tomorrowSafia United Kingdom
$2.00
Jemshed Los Angeles, CA
$150.00
Anonymous Hagerstown, MD
$7.29
Assalamu alaikum.
May ALLAH grant them patience & provide for these families from where they cannot imagine. Indeed He is the Granter of Bounties without measure.
Wasalam.
Salam Alaykom, I’m from Singapore and I’m pleased and proud to have come across this site; Alhamdulillah May Allah swt bless and reward all of you here for your deeds and your contribution to the ummah.
Ameen.
A’qilah Saiere~
May Allah ease the suffering of our brothers and sisters who are refugees, and may Allah reward tremendously the brothers and sisters who are trying to help them.
[Admin: Jazakum Allahu kahira for blogging about this cause. $5 will be donated for blogging. So far, $30 allocated 250-30= $220 remained #matchingFund]
May Allah ease the suffering of our brothers and sisters who are refugees, and may Allah reward tremendously the brothers and sisters who are trying to help them.
Ameen.
May Allah (swt) grant patience and ease in your time of difficulty …
“Oh Allah, there is no ease other than what You make easy. If You please You ease sorrow.”
May Allah ease their pain and the pain of the Muslims all over the world.
May ALLAH bless you
Salam, I’m participating in the Al Amaanah drive. May Allah grant these refugees patience and the ability to overcome their hardships, ameen.
Thank you sister Sara for blogging about this drive.
Jazakum Allahu kahira for blogging about this cause.
$5 will be donated for blogging. #matchingFund
May Allah swt bless those in hardship
Athar, Windsor Heights, IA
$40.00
Kamil, New York, NY
$1.00
Shazia, Brampton ON, Canada
$30.00
Ashiq Mississauga, ON, Canada
$50.00
Anonymous Hero, Sunnyvale, CA
$400.00
Jeehan, Jamaica
$100.00
May Allah accept and give you all baraka and rewards