Reflecting on Ramadan 2023 | 1444AH: A Report on Activities
Alhamdullilah, Jazakumullahu khairan to all who played a part in all the Ramadan and Eid Ul Fitr activities and programs under the banner of Muslimahs for The Nation this year.
Ramadan commenced with the purchase, packing and distribution of family food packs, in Harare and surroundings to 55 families, packs worth $70 usd approx. inclusive of Maize meal, cooking oil, flour, rice, sugar, salt, tea leaves, milk powder, dried beans, soya chunks, biscuits, dilute drink, matches, vaseline, bath soap, laundry soap. All fidya donations were included here.
Parcels on delivery, 1 sack and 2 bags maize meal each family Followed by a special distribution of items received in kind, that was distributed in the community of Nyamhondoro at Fatima Islamic Centre as 1 pack each per family, 100 families served with the donation in kind and an additional 10 families added with donations in cash so as to cover all the families on the register. Packs worth $24 usd, inclusive of maize meal, soya chunks, salt, rice, dried beans, cooking oil and soap.
This Ramadan we employed the services of a qualified Sheikh to serve the community of Nyamhondoro from Fatima Islamic Centre, providing for all his basic needs from bedding, cutlery, pots, gas stove etc $120 usd, grocery items for him to cook his meals worth $40 usd an additional float allowance for his transport to and back to his home from work at Fatima Islamic centre, cooking gas refill, communication for daily reports and consultations back to office in Harare, $80 usd and a salary at the end of his 5 weeks of service of $200 usd.
His duties included daily madressah classes for adults and children, manage and oversee the daily iftar and suhoor cooking and feeding program, as well as taraweeh, jumuah prayers amongst other activities.
(Funds permitting, we hope to employ him on a long-term basis to serve this community, we need your support.)
Equipping the temporary kitchen that served the community daily throughout Ramadan with cooking pots, utensils, serving dishes, plates and other requirements $350 usd (permanent kitchen yet to be built and fully equipped).
Providing the masjid with a sound system in the form of a speaker set with a separate charger, extension cable etc $60 usd Portable solar lighting for night use at the temporary kitchen area during iftar cooking and serving. $50 usd Daily suhoor for 30+ people, this being tea and sadza with relish.
Daily community iftar serving approx. 160 people daily with; Iftar at Magrib of, dates, tea, porridge with peanut butter and biscuits. As well as a meal after Esha, that included rice/sadza, drink and relish (alternating between beans, soya chunks, cabbage, fish, chicken and goat meat).
A light snack for about 20 brothers who stayed over at the masjid each night of some drink and biscuits.
All meals where cooked on the ground daily by a team of 8 selected volunteers from within the community ladies supervised by the Sheikh who was employed Special dawah and distribution program for women and children on the 2nd of April, conducted by the chairlady of M4N alongside a team of volunteers from Harare;
Eid clothing for 5 children at $35 usd each.
Eid clothing for adults, as a donation in kind.
Eid envelopes to 10 families $50 usd each in Harare and surroundings.
Eid envelopes to 30 individuals of $20 usd each in Harare and surroundings.
Eid lunch to 12 families of chicken, rice and drinks worth $40 usd each.
Tokens of appreciation to the 8 cooking ladies, caretaker, imam and sheikh at Fatima Islamic Centre accordingly $260 usd total Gift of $25 usd each to 40 selected families in Nyamhondoro.
Activities concluded with a community Eid on Saturday 22nd April 2023 at Fatima Islamic Centre, with 280+ people in attendance throughout the day, filled with great happiness, joy and gratefulness as this Eid ul fitr was a first for them.
The day started with Eid salaah in the morning, followed by Eid refreshments/breakfast of tea and cream biscuits alhamdullilah.
Lunch followed later in the day after Zuhr salaah, which comprised of, chicken & rice, goat curry and sadza, cabbage, cake, chocolates and drinks. All fitra donations were included here.
We hope to continue upon the pace that has been set at Fatima Islamic Centre, throughout the year with daily madrassa classes served with refreshments, weekly community meal on a jumuah, salaries for the imam and caretaker etc. And to continue with the next phase of the construction project too.
Other monetary donations received towards day-to-day commitments in schooling support, monthly support of medication, medical needs, food accommodation, special needs boy etc.
18 cash envelopes also distributed towards families in need, based upon their need, total $900 usd.
Basic smart mobile phones donation for school children and others.
Donation of Qurans and Ahsan ul qawaid for Fatima Islamic Centre Madrassah.
Other miscellaneous items in kind, from clothing, footwear, toys etc.
Jazakumullahu khairan for the continued support from all our friends, well-wishers, sponsors and donors, who played a part in the success of Ramadan 2023 under Muslimahs For the Nation – M4N Zimbabwe.
Everything is made possible through your continued support, we look forward to a barakah filled year to the next Ramadan with your continued support and duas.
Together we make a meaningful difference.
Jazakumullahu khairan
Muslimahs For The Nation Zimbabwe
02.05.2023