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EXECUTIVE TRUSTEES OF THE UMMAH FOUNDATION
Dr. Abdullatif Essajee
Chairman
Zool Nimji Ayub Khalid
Secretary General Treasurer
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Introduction
The Ummah Foundation is a national charity organization set up in 2006. Some of the
objectives of the organizations are:
1. To eliminate illiteracy amongst Kenyans in general, and Muslims in particular.
2. To empower the Ummah to be economically and socially self-sustaining.
3. To motivate Muslims to practice pure Islam according to the teachings of the
Noble Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet s.a.w.
For the few years of our organization’s existence, we have worked tirelessly to bring a
smile and a hope to thousands of needy people who are struggling through poverty,
underdevelopment and marginalization.
Education
The Education Bursary Fund was established in 2007. The Ummah Foundation has
helped to pay school fees worth over Kshs. 20 m (UK₤190,000 or US $290,000) for over
400 very needy students in secondary and tertiary learning institutions.
Despite the dire economic aftermath of the post election violence in Kenya and the
Global Recession in addition to a devastating drought, we still managed to sponsor the
fees of 88 needy students to the total of Kshs. 2.7 m. (UK₤22500 or US$ 39,000) in 2009.
Above, left: The Chief Kadhi of Kenya presents a cheque, to one of the student beneficiary, on behalf of the Ummah
Foundation. Right: Education and learning materials are given to a student by an executive officer of the Ummah
Foundation.
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Emergency Aid
It has been estimated that over 10 million people were adversely affected by the long
drought – lives were lost and livestock died! Seventy five percent (75%) of the affected
areas are Muslim inhabited. The government of Kenya, together with relief and
emergency civil organizations like the Kenya Red Cross and The Ummah Foundation,
acted reasonably fast to reduce the hardships and sufferings. We distributed emergency
food and water in Isiolo, Moyale, Marsabit, Wajir, Machakos, Kangundo and Sololo.
In collaboration with the U.K.s Caravan of Mercy, we provided food rations to more than
10,000 people as well as supplementary food supplies to over 5,000 children.
Above left, some of the areas worst hit by drought. People complained of water tasting of cow urine. On the right, the
Ummah Foundation`s water boozer that ferries clean water to some drought stricken parts of the country
Ummah Foundation`s food caravans leave for distribution of food in drought stricken areas.
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The loving heart of the Ummah Foundation
People in Isiolo, one of the worst famine hit areas, are delighted after the Ummah Foundation`s food aid arrives just at
the right time. Thousands of their cattle died due to famine.
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Religious Education
Up until now, the system of religious teaching (Madarassah) in Kenya is not coordinated
or well organized. Each Madarassah opts to follow its own private syllabus and teaching
method. The Ummah Foundation initiated a programme in 2009 aimed at:
- Providing a common upgraded syllabus that will be used by all Madarassahs in
the country.
- Selecting some pilot Madarassahs for this project. Currently, 5 Madarassahs are
under this programme.
- Training Madarassah teachers and imams to take this noble work to a higher and
more professional level.
- Improving the infrastructure of the Madarassahs. Already the 5 pilot
Madarassahs have had credible facelifts.
- Payment of teachers salaries.
- Supervision and evaluation of Madarassahs.
In conjunction with the government’s Kenya Institute of Education, The Ummah
Foundation conducted a training workshop in Nairobi for Madarassah teachers. A
total of 35 participants benefited from the professional training session that
included teaching methodology, child psychology, teaching management skills
and public relations.
Above left, children in a madarassah in Nakuru learn, thanks to the Ummah Foundation.
Right, more pupils in another madarassah built and supported by the Ummah Foundation.
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A seminar organized by the Ummah Foundation.
Above left, our trustees visit one of the madarassahs assisted by the Ummah Foundation.
Above right, Madarassah teachers benefit from a training workshop organized by Ummah Foundation.
The Ummah Foundation Trustees meet the leaders of tomorrow in one of the sponsored madarassahs.
Simple Fundraising Methods
For a long time, there has been the simple idea of every Muslim contributing on a regular
basis, some small amount, even a shilling a day towards the Ummah’s Kitty. The effect
would be that if ten (10) million Muslims each contributed a shilling a day, one day`s
contribution would be Ksh 30 million. The annual collection would be Ksh 360 million.
This kind of money can build schools, universities, religious centres, water reservoirs,
hospitals e.t.c. for the Muslim Ummah! We need to implement simple ideas and let the
power of numbers do the miracles!!
Just imagine what we can do with this size of money! We The Ummah Foundation
helped to launch the One Shilling Foundation towards achieving this target and dreams.
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In July 2009 the One Shilling Foundation was launched in Nairobi. The Chief Guest at
the launching ceremony was world renowned scholar Dr. Ameenah Bilal Phillips. The
One Shilling Foundation immediately helped to bail out 30 stranded Kenyan Muslim
Students in Russia after their sponsor, another charity organization, fell into financial dire
straits. This unique Islamic undertaking costed the new organization Ksh.1 million.
Above left, renowned International Scholar Dr. Ameenah Bilal Phillips is happy to launch the One Shilling
Foundation.
Right, the Chairman, Mr. Abdullatif Essajee gives a speech during the launch.
Below photo: The Chief Kadhi of Kenya Sh Hamad Muhammad Kassim delivers his speech during the launch of the
One Shilling Foundation.
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Health Care
Many Muslims live in the impoverished slum areas of Nairobi and other urban areas. The
Ummah Foundation has initiated a programme to start addressing this problem.
In 2009, we started a pilot scheme in Korogocho slums of Nairobi. A modern health
centre together with a school was built. The cost of the health centre was contributed by
Haji Musa Quadir and members of his family in memory of their mother. The centre will
offer preventive and primary health care to the poor slum dwellers.
The Tawfeeq Health Centre in Korogocho slums
Information Technology
Kenya’s Vision 2030 goals state that every Kenyan should be computer literate. In 2009,
the Ummah Foundation was privileged to distribute some 120 computers to Muslim
institutions. These computers were donated by Muslim Care of UK.
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Muslim run institutions benefitted from computer donations.
Ramadhan, Zakaat and Sadaqaat
The past Ramadhan period was busier than ever. Ummah Foundation provided food
ration to vast Muslim areas of the country. These were the North Eastern Province,
Nakuru, Kisumu, Malindi and Lamu.
Caravans of food went village to village distributing food to the needy. Fire tragedy
victims of Faza Island in Lamu and famine victims of Ngomeni, Malindi also benefited.
The exercise of food, clothes and medicine distribution is an ongoing exercise. Nairobi
slums, Isiolo, Marsabit, Sololo, Nakuru, Kisumu, Naivasha, Gilgil, Mombasa, Lamu,
Bungoma and Magadi are some of the beneficiaries of this noble cause.
Above left, Sh Abdallah Kheir distributes food to the needy in Malindi during the Holy Month of Ramadhan.
Right, Ummah Foundation staff, Sh Subki and Bro. Ali Khamis,assisted by Bro Nazir organize clothes for distribution
to the needy.
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Above, preparation for food and clothes distribution during the Holy month of Ramadhan.
Prison Rehabilitation
The Ummah Foundation, in collaboration with the Prisoners Rehabilitation Programme
(PRP) has facilitated:
- The building of Muswallah and Education centres in prisons.
- The provision of hundreds of Islamic books to prison centres.
- Da`awah activities where hundreds of prisoners have reverted to Islam.
Above left,Ummah Foundation team visiting one of the prison centre. Above right Bro. Nassir Samji of Calgary, Canada seen performing a ground breaking for an educational centre at the
Naivasha High Security Prison.
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Other Great Services
We have a religious scholar who goes round the hospitals of Nairobi everyday to counsel
and give guidance to the sick.
There are cases where patients cannot pay hospital bills due to extreme financial
constraints. The Ummah Foundation liaises with the hospital to remedy the situation.
Also, for the extreme cases where burial expenses have been a problem, the Ummah
Foundation has contributed.
During 2009, the Ummah Foundation received pleas for help from the disabled people.
We responded to this and were able to provide at least 50 wheel chairs.
There are cases of needy, deserving and hardworking students getting stranded due to
lack of finance for air tickets. The Ummah Foundation rescued a number of stranded
Kenyan Muslim students traveling to India, South Africa and Sudan.
Above left, Bro. Ahmad Yusuf presents a wheel chair to the son of a physically challenged person. Above right, Bro. Musa Wekesa visited Mama Fauzia Children’s Orphanage to present them with clothes. It’s just one
of the orphanages that benefited from clothes donated by the Ummah Foundation.
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Appreciation
We want to thank and acknowledge the following organizations for all the support they
gave us in making 2009 a big success:
1. Human Concern International –Canada
2. Muslim Care – UK
3. Caravan of Mercy – UK
4. Ummah Welfare Trust - UK
5. 3Z Foundation
6. Jamia Mosque Committee
7. Al Moumin Foundation
8. Ma’ had Daawah Group
9. Parklands Mosque Committee
10. Park Road Mosque
11. Ministry of Home Affairs (Prison Dept)
12. Ministry of Education
13. City Park Mosque
14. Westlands Rabita Mosque
15. Madinah Centre
16. The entire Muslim Ummah.
Indeed, the Ummah of Rasulullah s.a.w was better off in 2009 as compared to 2008
thanks to you- Alhamdulillah!
3Z foundation Touching Lives