The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"I and the person who looks after an orphan will be in Paradise together like this..." - then he raised his forefinger and middle finger together. (Hadith Bukhari)

Now, I think we would all agree that is some position to be in right? Now, how are we going to go about looking after an orphan? Now typically we just resort to a standing order mandate from a humanitarian charity and pickup the cost of living of a Muslim child in some far away land. And let me be clear, that is a truly noble action. But, is there no way we can be a little more hands on? is there no way we can actually do something for those orphans that live amongst our very own communities? Is it not bizarre that we can help the orphan child in Somalia and we forget the one in South London? hmmm.

Mercy Mission are working hard to reach out to the orphans and other vulnerable children in our own community right here in the UK. Many of these children are taken into care when they arrive fleeing war zones by the UK border agency, or whose parents have died, or whose parents have been parted from them due to them being involved in some social ills; effectively orphaning the child.

We have established a two tier project to try and add value to this social disaster; whereby Muslim children enter the care system, and loose their faith, identity and direction through a lack of contact with their own community and faith infrastructure. We want to stand with them to try and ease their journey through the care system and with the help of Allah emerge as Muslims.

Tier 1: Non Muslim Support

This is based on supporting Non Muslims understand the needs of Muslim children and link them with other Muslim communities. This is a crucial piece of work which is being endorsed by the British Association of Adoption and Fostering. We have designed a manual, which is in draft, which we need help to publish:

http://www.issuu.com/mercymission/docs/myfosterchild_handbook_final

Tier 2: Muslim Awareness Program

This is based on educating Muslims on how to become foster carers. We are seeking to run a national roadshow, and need both funds and localised hosts to come forward and work with us to raise the issue in their community. Further details on making your community part of this program can be obtained via emailing us at: info@mercymission.org.uk

We have had phenomenal support with this project, and we just need a final push to have a full launch of the project. We need to raise the target amount and use this to:

- Print and distribute 5000 copies of the handbook to Non Muslims

- Design, develop and deliver a website where Non Muslims can access information about how to care for a Muslim child and also 'buddy-up' with Muslim families.

- Run 12 awareness events to raise the issue in the Muslim community.

So, Who Is With Us? 

As you know we ran the 841 Challenge to raise money for three projects, we are now refining the fundraising to raise money for each project directly. InshAllah the funds already raised will be crucial inthe pay-rolling the awareness campaign, but we still need to reach the target to get the whole thing off the ground before 1st April 2011.

Please remember the words of the Messenger of Allah, "Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity." (Al-Tirmidhi)

AND JOIN US!

Azim Kidwai                                          

General Manager                                  

Mercy Mission