While AlMaghrib regularly conducts on-line “Ilminars” (Islamic knowledge seminars), this was the first time the organization devoted cyberspace for the purpose of global fund-raising.
“I was astonished by the impact of the Ilminar and on-line fundraising,” said Dr. Hany Al Banna, the founder of Islamic Relief. “Its speed and the power of communication between people in different parts of the world make it the new trend for this generation. On-line technology is the new X factor, not only for fundraising but also awareness. “
Shaykh Muhammad AlShareef, the Intitute’s founder, kicked off the Ilminar by donating $10,000 and calling upon listeners to respond to the massacre with Hikmah (wisdom) and righteous action. “We can help the people of Gaza by developing our hearts, minds and souls to worship Allaah more thoroughly,” he said, by employing powerful tools of self-change including making Taubah (repentance) and seeking Istighfaar (forgiveness). “Brothers and Sisters,” Alshareef implored, “Don’t belittle Dua’a (supplication). Sincere and consistent Dua’a is the foundation of the development of your soul.” He urged listeners to give of their wealth, reminding that the only wealth that truly belongs to us is that which we give in Sadaqah (charity); and Allaah subhanahu wa ta’ala increases it up to 700 times. He then pitted listeners (primarily college-age AlMaghrib students from the US, Canada and the UK) against each other through rival collections efforts.
Shaykh Yasir Qadhi, AlMaghrib’s Dean of Academic Affairs, continued the fundraiser by reinforcing the need to look within to solve the catastrophes besieging the Muslim community. “I have been thinking so much about this problem,” he said, “but don’t know the final answer except that we know that our purpose in life is to please Allaah subhanahu wa ta’ala.” Stating that the solution may not necessarily be a political victory, he reminded that each and every Muslim is faced with a different test and that our responses determine whether or not we gain His pleasure. “We are witnessing a great, grave Fitnah (strife) that makes our blood boil and go mad with grief,” he said, “and it is so difficult to act rationally.” Again, the solution of responding with Hikmah as opposed to emotion was raised. “The best thing I can do is better my life as a Muslim and to make sure I am a good Muslim.” He reiterated the power of righteous action and Dua’a.
“…My servant continues to come nearer to Me through voluntary deeds
until I love him, and when I love him, I become his ears with which he hears;
I become his sight with which he sees; I become his hands with which he strikes;
I become his legs with which he strides. If he asks Me, I shall surely grant his request.”
Hadeeth Qudsi (Bukhari)
Qadhi continued that Muslims in the West must take every opportunity to educate those around them about what is happening in Gaza, while guiding them to Islam. He urged listeners to give to Islamic Relief. His sentiments were echoed by another AlMaghrib instructor, Shaykh Yaser Birjas, who raised the bar of generosity with the message: “Now is not the time to give your excess wealth, but to give half your wealth.”
AlMaghrib’s Vice-President, Waleed Basyouni, contributed $5,000, reminding that people of all religions refuse to accept Israel’s barbaric killing of the innocent civilians of Gaza. He hoped that the tragedy would galvanize Palestinians and all Muslim to unite in peace and harmony. “This tragedy is just the beginning, but the real ending is in the Akhira (afterlife) – the eternal Akhira. The winners, in the end, are those who are sincere in their worship of Allaah subhanhu wa ta’ala and stretch their hands out to their Brothers and Sisters.”
Dr. El Banna spoke at length about the brutal and inhumane suffering of the people of Gaza under the perpetual Israeli onslaught, and asked listeners to put themselves in the shoes of the Palestinians. “How does it feel to have bombs dropping on my head, to have body parts flying, to witness blood and agony, to lose my family, my house, my future, my dreams…to sleep in a crowded room with no food, without proper water, no blankets, no shelter, no place to play?...I have been to many places all over the world, but have never seen what I’ve seen the last few days in Gaza,” he said. Islamic Relief, which has raised $3 million for Gaza in the last three weeks, operates with the help of the World Health Organization to provided food, medicine, blankets and infant formula.
Following the Ilminar, Dr. Al Bannah expressed his gratitude to AlMaghrib for the $155,000. “We are very encouraged by the response of the students, who translated their feelings of agony and despair into positive action to serve humanity.” Playing off the “Yes We Can” slogan coined by President-elect Barak Obama, he said: “Our message to young people is ‘Yes We Will’…by thinking rationally and organizing yourselves to build institutions to end the suffering of your fellow citizens in different parts of the world – whether it be in Gaza, Chechnya, Latin America or elsewhere in the world.”
Shaykh Yasir Qadhi was pleasantly surprised at the amount raised, and said, “Most of our students are themselves struggling with paying their bills and college tuition, yet this amount shows where their hearts really are. I thank Allah that AlMaghrib continues to raise the bar and exceed the expectations of all.’”
To donate to Islamic Relief’s Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza Fund, go to www.islamic-relief.com. For more information on AlMaghrib Institute, visit www.almaghrib.org. To listen to a replay of the fundraiser, go to: www.ilminar.com.
The writer is a volunteer with Al-Maghrib Institute.
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