Dear students and friends:

Assalam alaykum, and thank you for visiting the Oxford Traditional Knowledge Foundation JustGiving page. As you may know, the OTKF serves as a source of traditional learning, from an Islamic perspective, and of contextualising this knowledge in the art of living.

One of the primary instruments by which we do so has been our Weekly Madrasa programme, which has now been running continuously since 2008, by Allah's grace. Each year, we offer thirty weeks of classes, with courses in Arabic, the Prophetic Biography (sira), exegesis of the Qur'an (tafsir), and the rules of Muslim worship and practice (fiqh). In all of this, we have never charged a penny: we are adamant that money should never be a barrier between a person and the knowledge needed to practice one's deen and to further one's spirituality.

Unfortunately, the OTKF Madrasa is currently facing a financial shortfall. We have seen a drop in the number of standing orders and one-off donations over the past year, despite an upsurge of students attending the courses. The venues in which we have held our programme have also recently raised their rental charges. As a result, our incoming regular donations currently only cover 40% of the costs needed to keep the Weekly Madrasa running. To be clear, we have only two expenses: the rental of the venue, and the supporting of our teachers (excluding those who also serve as trustees). All other administrative and other expenses are covered by our volunteers.

As such, may I humbly request that you consider a donation to the OTKF. Our current shortfall has presented us from resuming this academic year's Madrasa classes, which are now two weeks delayed. We are most in need of immediate donations that would allow us to secure a venue and relaunch the classes. Regular standing orders, which ensure the continuation of the classes into the future, are also most welcome. We are hoping to resume classes next week; we can do so only with your help.

Donations can easily and quickly be made here on JustGiving, or via OTKF's website at http://otkf.org.uk/donate/. The Oxford Traditional Knowledge Foundation is registered with the Charity Commission (charity no. 1137354), and your donation is eligible for Gift Aid.

Should you have any questions, or wish to discuss any of this, please do not hesitate to contact us. May Allah reward you for your kindness and generosity. And may He make it easy for us all to worship Him by cultivating sacred knowledge in our selves, our families, and our communities.

OTKF Team

p.s. If you are already contributing to the OTKF, or are otherwise not in a position to do so, please support us by making du'a that God grants us the success to serve sacred knowledge; and please consider forwarding this appeal to friends and family.