Masjid Bilal Budaka Iftaar Program 2022
Donation protected
Helping 500 Ugandan Brothers/Sisters Make The Most Out of Their Ramadan
Welcome to the official fundraiser for Masjid Bilal Budaka's 2022 Iftaar Program! Follow my story and learn more about the loving people of Mbale, Uganda.
(Wish to hear from the community? See video below!)
Who Am I?
My name is Omar Shahid, a 3rd-year undergrad studying at McMaster University, Canada. Being an undergraduate student who has studied virtually for the past two years, I've struggled to find ways to help give back in a meaningful way. When all hope seemed lost, a path was paved (Alhamdullilah). I earned the pleasure of making contact with an individual from this community over social media and have been helping them virtually ever since. Please see a quick summary of this campaign in the video below:
What Is My Goal?
My goal is to live up to the teachings of our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by helping fulfill the iftaar expenses of this community. Ramadan is a month of mercy, and I want to make the most of it by ensuring that my brothers/sisters on the other side of the globe get what I often took for granted.
My Experience With This Community
These Ugandan communities are living in extremely impoverished conditions. These conditions range from:
❖ Food/Water Scarcity: Most communities lack a source of clean water or basic food resources to meet daily needs.
❖ High Unemployment Levels: Families range from an average of 8-10 people in size, so many struggle to make ends meet without a stable source of income.
❖ Education Supplies: Most children have little to no access to high-quality educational facilities due to distance and expensive tuition rates, depriving them of the knowledge that many of us typically take for granted.
❖ Religious Resources: Communities in these areas struggle to maintain and distribute religious necessities such as prayer mats, prayer spaces, religious books, etc.
Despite the dilemmas they face on a daily basis, they never let down a smile. Words are not enough to describe the lessons I've learned from these wonderful people.
Caption: Image taken from our recent borehole inauguration
What is the Iftaar 2022 Program?
The Iftaar 2022 Program is an initiative created by the local masjid of this community (Masjid Bilal Budaka). This program seeks to fulfill the food expenses that cater for approximately 500 Muslims in the month of Ramadan. Expenses are laid out as follows:
Caption: This list outlines the expenditures for this year's Iftaar Program (amount in US dollars)
Who Is Involved?
Donations are distributed by our fellow brother Juma who is connected to multiple villages/communities that reside in this location (Mbale, Uganda). Juma and I have successfully facilitated multiple projects for Ugandan communities in need throughout 2021. These projects include:
- Multiple food distribution events for local villages
- Brain tumour surgery and treatment for a young boy named Madagi
- Installation of a borehole for water distribution + an additional wudhu space for prayer purposes
Caption: Juma, my close friend and coordinator in the community
How Can You Help?
- Donations: Our brothers and sisters are seeking to open and break their fasts just like us. Let's help them attain those basic needs by helping fulfill their expenses! Please see below for the suggested giving levels based on the expenditure report listed above.
- Spread the Word!: Share this campaign with your friends and family; this community needs all the help they can get!
Food Contribution Level 1 ($10): By donating $10, you contribute to a day's worth of cooking supplies!
Food Contribution Level 2 ($50): By donating $50, you contribute to a day's worth of major food essentials (flour, salt, sugar, spices, firewood, juice, watermelon, bananas)!
Food Contribution Level 3 ($85): By donating $85, you contribute to a day's worth of large meal items such as rice and meat!
Food Contribution Level 4 ($140): By donating $140, you contribute to a day's worth of meals for the entire community!
Food Contribution Level 5 ($700): By donating $700, you contribute to 5 DAYS worth of meals for the entire community!
NOTE: The giving levels above will fluctuate based on our daily capacity/iftaar count (prices would be significantly cheaper)
I present this opportunity to those driven individuals who wish to accomplish as much good as possible this Ramadan. If you are unable to donate, then please spread the word. If you cannot spread the word, please pray that our brothers and sisters attain their goals. If you are unable to support in any way, then please, at the very least, use this story as a reminder to uphold gratitude in your day to day lives and seek to wish the best for your fellow brothers and sisters, for indeed:
"None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself." - Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Sahih al-Bukhari 13)
جزاك اللهُ خيراً
Organizer
Omar Shahid
Organizer
Mississauga, ON