Based in the United States of America, The United Muslim Foundation serves to Promote Unity, Education and Charity. By working United with Muslims of all cultures and races and extending solidarity to religious organizations, learning centers and local institutions we aim to promote greater Islamic awareness and cultural understanding while reaching out to those in need. The United Muslim Foundation dedicates it's time and resources to action, translated effectively into making a difference. UMF directors, officers and volunteers nationwide are talented, intellectual individuals who commit many hours in community service recognized by Seminole County, Bright Futures and UMF's own Scholarship Programs. United Muslim Foundation is a registered non-profit, 501 (c) (3) organization and a recognized public charity.
United Muslim Foundation may be contacted for an on-site presentation wherever possible and for help on finding more information on Islam. We would also like to encourage Muslim organizations and individuals to contact us so that we may create a network through which we can all work together to help people clarify misconceptions about Islam and Serve hose in need. We appreciate your volunteer hours and tax-exempt donations to this worthy cause. May God bless you all.
United Muslim Foundation March 2008/ Rabi al-Awwal 1429
United Muslim Foundation is happy to announce the release of a new, online calendar of community events.
Located at www.umfonline.org the calendar is meant to allow for more involvement among community members in organized local events. Information regarding time, location, and registration/RSVP will be included on the site.
Want to add an organization's event to the calendar? Just click on the "add event" link on the website and your event will be posted after receiving approval. It's a great way to try and increase attendance.
Help the community become more aware and involved. Post your event today!
New Number!
You can reach United Muslim Foundation at our new number (407) 233-6046.
"Activate 2008" Postponed
The event previously scheduled to occur on March 22 has been postponed until a later date, closer to the general election in November of this year.
Stay tuned for updates!
Visiting Kareem
UMF volunteers have plans to visit Mohammed Kareem, a 4-year-old boy from Iraq who has come to Allentown, PA for medical treatment.Kareem will staying with a host family while he recovers, but will thereafter be returning to his family.
United Muslim Foundaton will be accepting donations for the Rotary Club to channel to Karim so that his family can take care of him after he returns.
March for Meals
Join "Meals on Wheels" on Saturday, March 29th for a 3-mile walk at the Riverwalk in Sanford. Registration is at 7:30 AM at the Sanford Museum on E. First Street.
Your support for this endeavor is really needed, as there are more than 200 needy seniors on the group's waiting list to receive food, transportation, and other services.
On Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 the prominent comedian Azhar Usman will be performing at Cedar Crest College. Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students of the college. The event will last from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m., and is open to everyone.
Azhar Usman is a member of the Muslim comedian group, "Allah Made Me Funny".
Interested in buying a ticket? E-mail shelina@ unitedmuslimfoundation.org
You're guaranteed laughs!
3rd Annual AMANA Festival
On Sunday, April 6th, the American Muslim Association of North America (AMANA) will be holding their 3rd Annual Festival. The event will insha'allah take place from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at T.Y. Park (Pavilions 0, 1, and 2) in Hollywood FL, and will include rides, toys, candy, and bounce houses for the children. Food, books, and other products will also be sold.
This event is great for building communication lines and establishing working relationships for a healthier society and a better tomorrow. What better way to promote unity and have fun at the same time?
Learn the Qur'an from your home!
HomeQuran is a site that provides online courses in Qur'an recitation and translation, as well as the Urdu language. For more information, and to take advantage of a free five day trial, please visit www.homequran.com.
Salaam Alaikum / Peace be with you,
Want to volunteer and make a difference? The theme for this month is events, events, events - so you're in the right place!
At UMF, we're really focusing on going out to serve the community. Last week at Kid's House, our volunteers helped to entertain children who have been victims of abuse or neglect. UMF volunteers in Allentown have plans to visit Kareem, a young Iraqi boy who has come to the United States for medical treatment. United Muslim Foundation will be accepting donations for the Rotary Club to channel to Karim so that his family can take care of him after he returns.
We hope you can find it in your heart to help in any way possible. We accept cash, credit card, or check payable to United Muslim Foundation.
Missed the events earlier this month? Not to worry- Florida residents will have another opportunity on March 30th to visit Westminster Care, a local nursing home with a wing dedicated to caring for children with disabilities. And PA volunteers will be selling daffodils the same week to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Events such as these don't only brighten the lives of others; they also help to remind us of all that we have to be thankful for.
Other community events are coming up soon as well. On April 6th, CAIR will be hosting a community service fair featuring games, entertainment, and free legal and immigration advice from qualified attorneys. We are also planning insha'allah to help with a medical open house in Sanford, FL in the near future that will provide complimentary medical advice, blood tests, and other health related services from qualified physicians and medical personnel.
And don't forget about the ever-popular Girl's Nights and the upcoming Fair for Care in Allentown!
To stay on top of all the latest occurrences, be sure to visit our new event calendar at www.umfonline.org. We hope you'll join us at the next one!
Sincerely, Naushad Virji
Executive Director
Volunteering at Westminster
On March 30, UMF will insha'allah be volunteering at Westminster Care, a facility that cares for elders as well as sick children. The event will last from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, and will take place in a wing called "Grandma's House", a place where the elders are able to interact with the children.
If you would like to volunteer at this event, please contact Kumail Merchant at (407) 233-6046. We hope to see you there!
Valencia screening of Promises documentary
The Muslim Student Association (MSA) of Valencia Community College, in conjunction with United Muslim Foundation, will be holding a screening of the movie Promises on March 20, 2008. The event will take place on the East campus at PAC and will last from approximately 6:00 to 9:00 pm.
Promises is a documentary which follows the lives of seven Palestinian and Israeli children, offering a refreshing, human, and sometimes even humorous portrait of the Palestinain-Israeli conflict. Click here to watch a trailer. The event is meant to help build bridges between Muslims and Jews, promoting unity and education among both groups.
Daffodil Days
in Allentown, PA
As the first flower of spring, the daffodil is a symbol of all hope, including the hope we all share for a future where cancer is no longer a life-threateing disease. Daffodil Days is your chance to fight back against cancer by raising funds and awareness to help with the cause.
During the week of March 24th, UMF will be helping to sell daffodils at various locations in PA.... and volunteers are needed! Please e-mail shelina@unitedmuslimfoundation.org if you would like to help.
Remember: The dollars you raise through Daffodil Days enable the Society to offer free programs and services that help people fight cancer with courage and optimism, while providing physical and emotional support and financial information to ease the cancer experience. Additionally, daffodil contributions provide the Society with much-needed dollars to fund groundbreaking cancer research, educate people about the importance of cancer prevention and early detection and advocate for meaningful public health policies that benefit the community. Only with your help can the Society continue its lifesaving work to help those touched by cancer, empower people to fight back against this disease, and save more lives.
Interfaith Community Service Day
On Sunday April 6th, UMF will take part in "Interfaith Community Service Day." The objective of this first-of-its-kind large scale effort is to bring together a multi-faith coalition for the benefit of the needy in the greater Allentown, PA area. A wide representation of congregations of all faiths will work together towards one large community service volunteer effort. Community service activities will be held throughout the greater Allentown area. Some projects will be on-site of the locations in need, while others will be held at the congregations themselves. After the projects are completed by 4:30, volunteers will join together for a pot luck dinner at Congregation Keneseth Israel.
UMF has decided to take on the Jared Box Project. A Jared Box is a shoebox-size plastic storage box filled with small gifts, toys, cards, and games. Each box contains items selected for a specific age and gender. The boxes are delivered to hospitals and are given to chronically ill children. The Jared Boxes provide a special diversion for young patients as they receive chemotherapy and other medical treatments.
We are looking for donations of crayons, markers, coloring books, dolls, soft balls, Matchbox cars, card games, puzzles, silly-putty, Play-Doh, bubbles, stickers, fun costume jewelery, and small toys. On April 6th, we will meet to fill and decorate the boxes before sending them to Lehigh Valley Hospital.
For more information or if you are interesting in helping out, please contact Sr. Shelina Kermalli at Shelina@unitedmuslimfoundation.org.
CAIR Community Service Fair
On April 6th, CAIR will be holding a Community Service Fair in Sanford, FL, and volunteers are needed to run the UMF booth and help with the fair! UMF will sign for community service hours for volunteers. If you would like to help out any time between 12:00 and 7:00 p.m., please e-mail masuma@unitedmuslimfoundation. There will be a volunteer meeting beforehand for those who wish to help with the fair, so make sure to reply soon!
Easter Egg Hunt at Kids House
On Saturday, March 8th, a group of UMF volunteers headed to Kids House of Seminole, a center that aims to help abused children by providing all necessary services from investigation through treatment.
The children enjoyed carnival type games, food, and an annual Easter Egg Hunt. UMF volunteers were in charge of the egg and ring toss, helping the children as they played and handing out prizes to all who tried.
Overall, it was a great event. As chilly as it was, everyone seemed to have an amazing time helping out together.
UMF volunteers at Islamic Relief Fundraiser
On Saturday, March 15th, UMF volunteers headed down to the University of Pennsylvania to attend and assist with the Islamic Relief "Children in Need" event, which aimed to help children in need around the world -- with a special focus on Palestine, Sudan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Iraq -- by fundraising for these children (in many cases orphans), while at the same time providing a great dinner and some top-class entertainment for the event attendees.
The program for the night began with Qur'an recitation, followed by short speeches, and dinner. Following the evening prayers, the program then continued with a presentation on the plight of various children in need around the world and the work that Islamic Relief is doing in various countries to help them. The night concluded with some entertainment from the nasheed group Travelers, and stand-up comedy from Preacher Moss of the group Allah Made me Funny.
UMF volunteers assisted by serving as ushers to those attending the event and by handing out and collecting pledge and sponsorship cards from attendees. Alhamdulillah, the event was a great success as well as a lot of fun!
